Correspondence.

To the Editor of T HE FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , — " Q . ' s " letter , on this subject , published in your last impression , is an important one , for it sots forth in a very lucid manner the reasons for accepting or rejecting ono or other of tho versions adopted by various Preceptors , aud it leads tho way I hope for many similar ratiocinations on tho part of others . This

correspondence may probably result in tho gathering together of all the moot points upon which tho opinions of the brethren aro solicited , and it may become a very interesting and extremely nseful reference in the future , as indicating tho reasonable and commonsenso views of those who take part in it . There can bo no doubt that your correspondents , as well as those who read , will bo , in somo measure , better instructed , and rendered more willing to observe and correct errors

than hitherto . And although some may bo , and indeed aro , ready to condemn these letters on tho score of their treating only of what they aro pleased to call very trivial and unimportant divergencies , it may bo relied upon that before tho series is completed it will bo shown how these , to them apparently unimportant matters , affect in no inconsiderable degree the whole Masonic system , and causo in many respects incalculable injury .

" It is tho little rift within the Into That by-and-bya makes all the music mute ' . " Tho exigencies of Masonio reticence require that many portions of what we call " working " as contradistinguished from ritual , should not bo openly referred to in publications which reach non-Masons ; and therefore , for the present , and except when discreet allusions

can bo made to represent the actual word or fact , I shall confine myself chiefly to those portions of tho lectures which do not describe ceremony too closely . In the examples I havo already quoted there has probably not appeared sufficient difficulty in determining which word to adopt as correct to induce controversy , but I shall conclude this letter by submitting more important differences to tho

consideration of your readers . Of the first of these I may briefly state that tho " rival versions" of tho respective Preceptors makes all tho difference between universality and speciality , and is of considerable moment in relation to that equality amongst Freemasons which wo never tire of extolling as ono of our greatest privileges . In respect of this example there is sure to bo different opinions , and ample scope

for discussion , and it will bo interesting to learn the reasons which may be given for the final adoption , as correct , of one or other of the modes of expression . As to the other two , the commonsenso verdict of the large majority may be safely predicted . Preceptor No . 1 says , " He who is placed on the lowest spoko of Fortune ' s wheel is equally entitled to our regard . "

Preceptor No . 2 says may be , & e . Again , No . 1 says , " Geometry is the base upon which the superstructure of Freemasonry is erected . " No . 2 says , " The basis and superstructure upon which Freemasonry rests . " And again , No . 1 says , " Raise tho body , & c , to such a sepulture as became , " & c . No . 2 says sepulchre . Which is correct ? Yours fraternally , Clapham , 9 th October 1876 . P . M ., P . Z .

Lodges Of Instruction.

LODGES OF INSTRUCTION .

To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAB SIR AND BROTHER , — " Counterblast" certainly deserves tho thanks of all Masonic students—I may almost say , of tho whole Masonic community—for his energetic protest against the inordinate consumption of tobacco in our Lodges of Instruction . Personally , I can stand any amount of smoking . Wero half-a-dozen brethren in my

room at this moment , each emitting from between his lips as dense a volume of smoke as ever did that incorrig ible old cattle-lifter Cacus , of whom we read in classic authors , it would cause mo not the slighest feeling of discomfort . But then , Sir , I have gone through a long course of training . I have , again and again , spent two or three hours in a Dutch railway carriage , whore tho smoke was so dense it was

impossible to distinguish the features of the fellow-passenger sitting immediately opposite . I have been in Dutch cafes , where the atmosphere most nearly resembled that of the City in a dense November fog . I am , in fact , a thoroughly seasoned smoker , and never wink , sneeze , or cough , no matter how many there aro puffing or how vigorously they puff their pipes , cigars , or cigarettes . Yet I confess I

have often wondered how it is the attendance at our Lodges of Instruction is so respectable in point of numbers . The brother who does not smoke in one of these Lodges is an exception , as much , perhaps , as I am in the ability to endnro smoke , and any amount of it . Yet the non-smoker and tho mild smoker , who indulges only occasionally iu a mild pipo or cigar , both have a claim npon trar

consideration . It is , to say tho least , not courteous to impose on him tho alternative of enduring an hour or two ' s discomfort , or staying away altogether . Parliament has wisely ordered that smoking carriages shall form part of every train , so that smokers and nou-smokors may travel iu comfort , each person according to his peculiar taste . I do not see how our Lodges of Instruction can bo classed as smoking and

non-smoking Lodges ; but wo may , at least , be moderate iu our indulgence of this habit when studying the mysteries of Freemasonry . We have no light to inflict discomfort on thoso of our fellows whose tastes may differ from our own . " Bear and forbear " is a very good maxim , which smokers and non-smokers will do well to remember , The latter are willing enough , I am sure , to bear as much as they can ; let the former forbear to ask more . Fraternally yours , BACCALAUREUS ,

Lodges Of Instruction.

To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' S G ' HHONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , — "Counterblast ' s" letter , under tho above heading ( vide pago 228 ) is too important to remain unnoticed . It calls attention to what many members of our Order look upon as a grave impropriety and a serious drawback to tho respectability and progress of Freemasonry . The injury caused

by tho practice referred to is all tho more vexatious because there is really no necessity for its continuance . A little attention to the Masonio call npon us to " subjugate our passions " would teach us so to " moderate our desires " that on tho occasions of attending Lodges of Instruction a two hours' abstinence from what , to say tho best of it , is a habit better not contracted at all , but ,

once contracted , better controlled than encouraged , ought to bo considered no sacrifice . " Giving up every selfish consideration which might tend to injure others , " ib should bo borne in mind that the enjoyment (?) of an atmosphere redolent with tho fumes of nicotine , in addition to tho ordinary " close-tyled " temperature of the meeting place , is absolutely injurious to many who would fain absent

themselves but for tho expectation and desire of receiving instruction . Non-smokers cannot remain , and smokers ( of whom I am almost ono of tho inveterates ) are compelled to " follow suit" in self defence , and so , against all the proprieties , appear to countenance that which they would fain condemn .

But this is merely taking tho personally objective phase of the question into consideration . Let us look upon it with reference to our " system of morality , " and ask ourselves how far our practice is in accord with our profession , when not even tho most solemn portions of onr rehearsed ceremonials havo sufficient influence to induce us to

desist for even the space of five or ten minutes . What degradation must our ritual suffer by the recital of passages of prayerful appeal amidst such surroundings ? How can the presiding W . M . " forcibly impress the dignity and high importance of Freemasonry" from behind a clay pipo ? Out npon it ! It is a canker , destructive of the very principles of tho Order , and tho timo must surely bo at hand when

stops must be taken to eradicate it . But for tho demand on your space and tho necessary limits I must set myself , I could multiply and multiply snch questions as the above , but these should be enough , if answered according to tho consciences of true Freemasons , to at once and for ever sweep away the practice of smoking and drinking during Masonic instruction . For what we

may respectively do before and after our meetings we have ourselves only to consider , and are , or should be , judges of tho propriety or impropriety of our acts j but to Freemasonry wo owe another kind of allegiance , and none of us should be permitted to degrade it by association with bacchanalian ornicotiuian orgies . Let us , therefore , iu the name and for tho sake of our glorious

Order , and also out of respect to all those patrons , from our M . W . G . M . downwards , through royal , clerical , scientific and literary circles , who honour it and arc honoured by association with it , stamp out this blot upon our fair escutcheon , and resolve that during tho brief time from tho opening to the closing of our Lodges of Instruction wo will copy tho example of our Mother Lodges , and permit no refreshment

within our walls . 'Tis no hardship , but , on tho contrary , will be proved a pleasure . Amongst those Lodges of Instruction which adopt this practice of abstinence aro the " Emulation ; " the " United Pilgrims " and tho " Domatic , " both of which meet at tho Surrey Masonic Hall , " Tho Great City , " and others . May thoir names be writ large ! Visit them , and observe the order which pervades each

assembly , the propriety of the work which they do , and tho clearness and perspicuity with which questions and answers aro put and given . There is no bemused or bewildered brain , no anxiety to get through an exemplification for the sake of the " eternal pipe , " no atmosphere which kills ! I dare say this letter will not quite meet tho views of many ( both

personal friends and unknown to me ) who may read it . Let them , I beg of yon , ventilate the question iu your columns , as some of us would wish they would ventilate their rooms . I challenge criticism , and shall be quite prepared to " draw out my army " and do epistolary battle with them , if necessary . Yours faithfully , Clapham , 9 th October 1876 . P . M ., P . Z .

Indiscriminate Admission.

INDISCRIMINATE ADMISSION .

To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE , SIR , —In your issue of the 30 th ult . there appeared a very appreciative article on " Indiscriminate Admission , " but I am afraid it will take something more than an article in a Masonic paper to stamp out this suicidal system of admission , at least north of the Tweed . Take

a case . Three gentlemen living in Lanarkshire—Middle Ward—got it into their heads that they would liko to bo Masons . There is a Lodge iu tlie place where they live , but thoy fix upon one somo twenty miles distant , in fact in Ayrshire ; but a difficulty here arises , thoy have no Masonic friends in Ayrshire to introduce them to this Lodge ; thoy

therefore fall back upon two members of the local Lodge—who are equally unknown in Ayrshire—who write this Ayrshire Lodgo , proposing them as mombers thereof ; a night is fixed , and on thai night a party of five arrive in a very ancient town in Ayrshire , which boasted of a very ancient Masonic Lodge , when two perfect strangerswho may or may not be Masons—propose three gentlemen , also perfect strangers , and , presto , they are Masons .

Now , Sir , this occurred only last week , as I have described it . What a humiliating position for one of our oldest Lodges , perhaps our very olden t , to put itself into ; yet this is but one of uiauy I could cite of the same kind . Though I havo little hope of this expose doing any immediate good , still , a few such revelations should stir up tho hearts of somo of our fathers to come to the rescue of the honour of our Scottish Craft . Nous VEBUOSS .