Correspondence.

not necessarily be propter hoc . If the brother were desirable in every other respect , his certificate would , of course , be an extra argument in his favour , but fluency in ritual is not the only , nor the most important qualification for a W . M . —temper , tact , sobriety , good moral character , & c , are more essential . If all can be combined , so much the better .

It is satisfactory to find that " Crux" does not single me out , but disposes of his other correspondents in an equally summary and dictatorial manner . A little good natured badinage about Bro . Morris and his 142 degrees brings down on the brother a curt rebuke , not to " render his effusions ridiculous . " I quite

agree that the salute of the degree in which tbe lodge is open , is all that should be given , else why should not the Craft signs be given at the opening of a chapter , the R . A . being only the completion of the M . M . degree ? As to brethren who have been present from the first having gone through the signs

of the lower degrees , they only did so in appearing to order , and the brother entering gives the sign as a salute , and not to prove himself . If not known he would he proved outside .

Another brother is told of his grammatical blunder in thinking that "immediately" could refer to place as well as time . Will " Crux " kinkly inform us what his derivation of the word is , and why it should not be used as much for place as for time ? " Immediately adjacent , " " immediately outside , " in the "

immediate vicinity , " & c ., are , in mj opinion , expressions both English and grammatical . The word is sometimes used to express proximity of interest ; thus , this rebuke being given to H . M . G ., does not immediately " concern me . Let me assure " Crux " that I am quite readto

y give reasons for any assertions I make ; that we both desire the same end , namely , more efficient instruction and greater uniformity in working . No plan is likely to be adopted without discussion and modification . It is only by getting the ideas of many leading Masons that we can hit on a lan likelto be

acceptp y able to the Craft at large , and " Crux " should be glad to find others who , like himself , take so great an interest in the subject as to write at length , and generally so admirably , upon it . In fine , let him remember that he who first loses his temper has not always the best of the argumentand that it is quite

, possible to state our different ideas without " doing battle a I ' outrance , as he opens his letter with a statement of his readiness to do . Tours fraternally , CRESCENT .

MR , JOHN TOWEKS has written a pamphlet to disprove a prevalent notion that musicians are short-lived . He produces an array of facts , and gives in tabular form the ages at which many musicians have died ; and finally endeavours to prove that the average of their ages is 62 . If this be the case , the profession of music must be an extraordinarily healthy one ; but we can scarcely conceive

how he arrives at this conclusion , unless he can obtain the ages of all the musicians who have died . Taking eminent names , no doubt it would appear so . Amongst many veterans , he mentions one who has held the post of organist at All Saints , Hertford , for 77 years , being now inliis 91 sfc year .

Ar01100

THE MASONIC MIRROR .

* * All communications to be addressed to the EDITOR , at NO . 19 , Salisbury-street , Strand , London , W . C .

Masonic Mems.

MASONIC MEMS .

EDlNBUEGn . —An emergency meeting of the St . Andrew ' s Lodge , l \ o . 4 S , was beld on Monday , the 18 th inst ,, for the purpose of initiating His Highness Prince lihodocanakis , of which detailed particulars will be found in anotber column . At the meeting of the Robert Burn ' s Lodge on Monday next , at Freemasons' Hall , three candidates will ho initiated , two

brethren will be proposed as joining members , and one brother will be raised . THE brethren of St . Paul's Lodge , Cape oi ~ Good Hope , solicit assistance in enabling them to get up a bazaar , to be held on Dec . 7 , 1869 , in aid of the funds for the erection of a lodge 5 as for want of a suitable building they have been much

inconvenienced and hindered in their work . Donations of any kind will be thankfully received and faithfully applied , and if sent to Bro . Spencer , of Great Queen-sfcreot , will be forwarded at once . PoimtAlTS of the B . I . Hon . the Earl of Dalhousie , K . T ., C . C . B ., M . W . G-. M . Mason of Scotland , can now be obtained at

this office , price 3 s . Gd each . Copies , with ornamental border and Masonic emblems printed in gold , on large size paper , can be had , price 10 s . 6 d . BRETHREN are reminded that the Lodge Music published in several issues of the MAGAZINE has been re-published in a convenient form for Lodge use , price 2 s . 6 d .

Metropolitan.

METROPOLITAN .

MOUNT LEBANON LODGE { SO . 73 ) . —On Monday , 19 th insb ., the brethren of this lodge met in goodly numbers at the Bridge House Hotel . Bro . Rose , W . M ., presided , and initiated Mr . Walter Endsor , passed Bro . Wilkins , and raised Bros . Herbert , John , Bripner , and Williams . Bro . Sabine , P . M ., announced that he bad accepted the office of Steward for the festival of the

Benevolent Institution in January next , and appealed to tbe brethren for subscriptions to his list . Kotics of motion was given that £ 10 he given out of the funds of the lodge in aid of the Male Fund . Si . GEOEQE ' S LODGE ( NO . 140 ) . —The first meeting of the season was held at the Trafalgar Hotel , Greenwich , on the 20 th inst . Bro . E . W . Pool officiated as W . ll . in an able manner .

Mr . Charles Jardine was balloted for , unanimously approved , and initiated , the charge being impressively delivered by Bro . Hubbuek , P . M . The death was announced of Bro . Ryder , the oldest member of the lodge . Bro . Hubbuek delivered an eloquent eulogimn upon the character of the departed brother , and moved that an address of condolence be forwarded to the widow , which motion was carried with every mark of deep

respect . The lodge was in mourning on the occasion . The businsss concluded , the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to refreshment . LODGE OF TEMEEEANCE ( XO . 167 ) . —On Thursday , 21 st inst ,, the first meeting of the season was hell at tbe AVhite Swan , Deptford , under the presidency of Bro . J . D . Woodland , W . M . There was but little business before the lodge . A candidate for

initiation was proposed , and the brethren adjourned to the banquet , during which Bro . Littlecot offered to represent the lodge as Steward at the Festival of the Benevolent Institution , and Bros . AVingfield and Tibbals urged the brethren to supplement his list with liberal contributions .