A Little Criticism.

A LITTLE CRITICISM .

To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR , —I have read , in a Masonic Contemporary of yours , a short sketch of the past year , and I havo done this with mingled feelings of pity and amusement , with a very considerable deal of contempt thrown iu . Of one other idea which struck me , when I came to the leading article which follows the sketch , I will speak presently .

Whether a journalist writes a long and " prc-Eaphaelito sketch of a history which is kuown to many , " or a short aud post-Eaphaelite one , is a matter of no great moment . I assnmo that he knows his own business best . But I like to see consistency , and when I am told " there are some little minds which never can bo satisfied unless they havo a meaningless repetition of dates , which aro valueless , and

facts which aro without importance ; " and when my kind informant adds that for his parfc he leans to a via media , both " abhorring ' pompous preludes , ' and avoiding monotonous imbecility , " I make a note of ifc . Having done this , I proceed to judge him out of his own mouth , and I find ho has been guilty of the very errors ho is so anxious to avoid . When I am informed that in such and such a

month certain new Lodges were consecrated , and certain Provincial Grand Lodge meetings wore held ; and that March , for instance , " beheld tho Quarterly Communication ; " that September "hailed " the same event , aud that December " beheld " it—as thoy havo done regularly for I know nofc how many years and years—I ask myself tho pertinent question , what does all this amount to if it is

not part" of a history well-known to many , " and not only this , bnt also " a meaningless repetition of dates which aro valueless , aud facts which are without importance . " I find in tho General Eegulations of 1721 it is laid down that Graud Lodge " must havo a Quarterly Communication about Michaelmas , Christmas , and Lady-Day . " Thus , the information that Grand Lodge did in 1877 what it has been in

tho habit of doing in accordance with certain regulations for over a hundred and fifty years , if not exactly as old as tho hills , cannot bo looked upon as a fact of great importance . I know , and shall be told , that something follows in the case of each of theso announcements , but I havo read moro than once in a certain Book , a certain injunction , to wit , " Judge not , that ye bo nofc judged , " aud I say to

my informant , what is the use of tolling me facts which are already " well-known to many , " mysolf among tho number . Then I learn that tho " coincidence of three Eoyal brethren high in office , reminded old Masons of olden days of Eoyal patronage and presence . " I say nothing against tho Eoyal patronage , bufc I am puzzled to know how the coincidence in question can remind old

Masons of Eoyal presence , for all three were absent . I take this to bo a slight evidence of mental " imbecility " in the writer . I know the Festival of tho Boys' School was hold at tho Alexandra Palace , but I was not aware it was so held with " our fair sisters gracing the festive board . " I havo yet to learn that there aro feminine Freemasons in England . I shall be told thafc this is only a

common mode of expression used of Masons' female relatives , but again I retort , "Judge not , that ye bo not judged . " I am glad that my informant is apparently in the possession of a French Dictionary , and that he has discovered the word v < . ev , means wish . He is quite right so far , but the vunw which wero submitted to the Graud Orient were " votes " or motions , nofc " wishes . "

I am puzzled how to reconcile the two statements following : — ( a ) " Tho number of Masons iu the world may be approximately stated at 300 , 000 . " ( 6 ) "There is in that enormous continent" ( that is of " Canada ancl tho United States , " which are not a continent , but only a part of

one ) " abrotherhood of 700 , 000 Masons . " Possibly this " enormous continent , " which boasts " a brotherhood of 700 , 000 Masons , " is in the Moon , or in ono of tho other planets ; but if it is part of this world of ours , then 300 , 000 contains 700 , 000 , or the less contains the greater ; " which is absurd , " as Euclid hath it .

It is news to myself , and doubtless to many others , to hear that Freemasonry is " a religious , a loyal , a beneficent , and a united order . " The Jesuits , I know , are a " religious" order , and so aro the Franciscans , tho Benedictines , and others ; but I have doubts about the Freemasons coming under the same category . Perhaps the Pope or the Archbishop of Canterbury will condescend to enlighten us on

this point . What is the meaning of the following : — "May all of good in the wise providence of T . G . A . O . T . U . attend onr Universal Order in 1 S 78 . " I presume it means " May God ' s blessing attend us ; " but if so , why write " all of good in tho wise providence , " & c . P Surely this is wretched English .

I will now pass to the article . I will in the first , place express my satisfaction at being told , on such high authority , thafc "Tho world is a very good world on the whole , despite man's ' bassesse , ' if only one will use it and not abuse it . " Here , again , I fancy I catch a glimpse of tho French Dictionary , that is , if" basscsse" is meant for " baseness , " thongh what the latter word has done that it should bo

treated with such contumely , 1 am at a loss to say . Or it may have something to do with man ' s unfortunate regard for " Hass ' . t " bitter alc--only tho writer seems incapable of a joke . I will close this letter now by offering this snper-exccllenfc junrnalist my entire sympathy . I always like to hear of a man who has tho courage to admit his , shortcomings , and who promises ho will

try nnd make amends for them . I will nofc be so rude as to contradict him , when he admits that he has plenty " of fustian ancl frivolity , of peevishness and personality , " to get rid of ; that his brain wants clearing of " shoddy , " and his mind to bo emancipated ' •from thoso hateful prejudices and those petty animosities which

disgrace ns as men , and discredit us as Masons . " As ho is speaking editorially , the " ns" I take to be personal , and nofc to include Masons generally or any section of thorn ; or 1 should suggest to him the propriety of speaking , in this case , for himself alone . However , it ice ma tome that he who thus describes himself ia the last person

A Little Criticism.

in tho world to fill a Masonic editorial chair . But , he is now sitting publicly in sackcloth and ashes , and promises to be a gj > I boy for tho future . Lot us hope he will keep his word . And so euds my criticism . Fraternally yours , A . T . Z . E .

The Festival Of St. John.

THE FESTIVAL OF ST . JOHN .

THE members of the Craft iu the Edinburgh district celebrated , on Thursday , the 27 th ult ., the festival of their patron saint , Saint John the Evangelist , with the honours common among the brethren on that occasion . Throughout the Edinburgh Province most of tho Lodges met towards evening , and with tho usual formalities installed tbo office bearers who had been chosen by them to

fill the various posts of honour for the next year . Thereafter , tho moro festive business of the evening was entered upon . In Lodgo room , hall , or hotel—not a few of which had their usual appearance tastefully enlivened with Christmas decorations—the brethren of each Lodge dined together—the new Eight Worshipful Master in tho

chair—and as the evening grew older , each company opened the doors for visitors , and despatched deputations to spread through all tho Lodges in the Province renewed salutations of fraternity and goodwill . Tho evening , fortunately , was crisp and clear , and tho atteudauco generally was very good . In most of tho Lodges tho

annual statements were submitted , and , in one or two , ranety was given to tho proceedings by the awarding of compliments for individnal services . No . 405—the " Rifle " —was not the least in that respect , its members embracing the opportunity to present to Bro . Albert Apthorpe , their retiring E . W . M ., a substantial mark of their

appreciation of his untiring devotion to the interest of their Lodgo during the throe years of his very prosperous reign over them . The presentation was made in name of the Lodgo by Past Master Thomas Ford , in a graceful address . We subjoin a list of the new office bearers of Lodges in the metropolitan province : —

The Lodge of Edinburgh , Mary ' s Chapel , No . 1 . — Bros . E . F . Shaw Stewart E . M . W ., J . J . Mnirhead P . M .. E . W . Nightingalo D . M ., James Crichton S . M ., Jas . Jameson S . W ., James H . Balfour J . W ., J . M . Campbell Treasurer , James Webster Secretary ,

J . Hill Tait , M . A . Chaplain , John White S . D ., John Bryce J . D ., John Fleming B . B ., F . Law Jeweller , J . A . Hamilton Architect , M . Davidson Director of Music , H . Gunther aud VV . Grant Standard Bearers , and John Ness Tyler .

Canongate Kilwinning Lodge , No . 2 . —Bros . Dr . John Middleton E . W . M ., Johann Schopp P . M ., Eobert Anderson D . M ., Louis Spanier S . M ., E . W . Maxwell Midler S . W ., T . Grahame Plumber J . W ., Thomas Drybrongh Treasurer , Hermann Drechsel Secretary , Andrew Stevenson S . D ., David S . Lowson J . D ., F . Zoblinsky Director of Music , Captain Archer Poet Laureate , David Sinclair Tyler , and W . N . Fraser , of Tornaveeu , Chairman of Committee .

Canongate and Leith Lodge , Leith and Canongate , No . 5 . —Bros . John S . Mathesou E . W . M ., John Laurie P . M ., Georgo Hudson D . M ., John Simpson S . M ., William Gemmell S . W ., Thomas E . Swinnock J . W ., William Eeith Treasurer , David Paterson

Secretary , John Harrow Chaplain , Alex . Rodgers S . D ., William Fairgrieve J . D ., Robert M . Bell Architect , John Mack B . B ., Joseph Mason Director of Music , George Green Grand Lodge Steward , Charles Smith Standard Bearer , John Whitehead Lodge Steward , Henry A . Crown I . D . G ., and Alex . Henderson Tyler . Journeyman Lodge , No . 8 . —Bros . Hugh Munro R . W . M ., John M'Donald S . M ., John M'Pherson D . M ., James Kerr S . W ., W . B .

Robertson J . W ., Wm . Barton Treasurer , Robert Dodds Secretary , Mathew Forrest S . D ., Alexander Munro J . D ., Andrew Dalglish S . S ., Eobert Loarmonth J . S ., Eev . — Eitchie Chaplain , James Pyper I . D . G ., James Bryce Tyler , James Millar Standard Bearer ; Millar , M'Culloch , anil Caldwell Prince ' s Guard , John Lamb Captain , M'Pherson Mark Master , Brown S . O ., and Kerr Lillio J . O .

St . David Lodge , No . 36 . —Bros . William Edwards R . M . W ., Lieut . M . Tracy P . M ., C G . C Christie locum tenens P . M ., Captain Brown D . M ., J . Fleming S . M ., Edward S . Webb S . W ., D . Edwards J . W ., G . E . Maffett Secretary , D . Laidlaw S . D ., Thos . Herbert J . D ., John Brown Chaplain , T . Russell B . B ., C . Sey Bard , VV . H . Darling Master of Choir , Wm . M'Esvan Architect , A . Hay Jeweller , Maclean and Veitch Stewards , Jas . Laidlaw I . G ., and A . Robertson Tyler .

St . Luke Lodge , No . 44 . —Bros . Henry Erskine Gordon R . W . M ., the Hon . F . J . Moncrieff D . M ., J . H . Davidson S . M ., Henry Lee Harvey P . M ., C Digby Jones S . W ., J . G . Watsou J . W ., the Rev . V . G . Faithfull Chaplain , tho Lord Cardross Sword Bearer , J . H . W . Holland S . D ., G . VV . T . Omond J . D ., F . A . Bringloe Secretary and Treasurer , F . B . Anderson Director of Music , F . Law Jeweller , Frank Murray I . G ., VV . Bryce Tyler .

St . Andrew Lodge , No . 48 . —Bros . Dr . James Carmichaol R . W . M ., Dr . VV . S . Carmichaol D . M ., R . S . Brown P . M . 145 S . M ., Isaac Colo S . W ., 11 . Hamilton J . W ., J . VV . D . Kuight Secretary , 0 . Hammond Treasurer , A . Waghorne S . D ., A . C . Troup J . D ., Rev . William Graham Chaplain , William Hay Architect , A . C Mackenzie Director of Music , R . Parvis B . B ., D . Eobertson Steward , and D . Young Tyler .

Edinburgh St . James ' s Lodge , ITo . 97 .-Hros . William Niven R . W . M ., Robert Gordon P . M ., James Wi ' s vi I ) AL , S . B . Wilkins S . M ., Charles Cooper S . W ., James Smith J . W ., Andrew Sangster jun . Treasurer , William Marwick Secretary , John H . Cooper S . D .,

James Weddell J . D ., David Small Architect , James Fowler Chaplain , James Rodger B . B ., John Daish and James Sharp Stewards , James C . Porter Bard , John M'Cathie and William Martin Standard Bearers , James Watt I . D . G ., aud . Job . ** , Heury Tyler ,