Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

All Letters must hear the name and address of the Writer , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications . We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Correspondents .

MASONIC CLOTHING AT THE INSTALLATION CEREMONY ON THE 28 TH INSTANT .

To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' S CnKONici , E . DRA . K SIK , —It should be well understood by our brethren who avo members of Provincial Grand Lodges , that at the approaching ceremony of Installing the M . W . Grand Master , they must wear the

sky-blue Craft Collar , which denotes thoir Past Master ' s rank , OVER that of their office in Provincial Grand Lodge , or go without the latter . The purple and gold Apron of Provincial rank may be worn instead of the sky-blue Craft Apron , but the purple Collar must be veiled or discarded . Yours fraternally , DEPUTY PROVINCIAL GKAND MASTER .

Masonic Phraseology In Shakespeare.

MASONIC PHRASEOLOGY IN SHAKESPEARE .

To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' S CHKONICLE . SIE , —I was for the moment nonplussed a few days since by a remark of a friend of mine that , though reference to almost overy conceivable subject was to be met with somewhere in our groat poet ' s

writings , there was nothing indicating in Shakespeare any knowledge of the existence of Freemasonry . I had seen a similar remark in the pages of some Masonic work , but I had also seen , as I thought , a passage from one of his plays quoted iu one of the Masonic books I possess , which , at all events , implied a certain degree of familiarity on the

part ot Shakespeare with the forms of expression in use among Freemasons . Accordingly , I made a search , and at length found quoted Antony and Cleopatra , iu Captain Smith's Use and , Abuse of Freemasonry . On further reference to the play itself , 1 found two or three othor and almost equally suggestive passages . Captain Smith boldly

infers that Shakespeare was a member of our Order . I will not go to such a length , but as the references are interesting , I have transcribed them aud soncl them herewith for your columns , if you deem them worthy of a place . Some of your readers who have studied

this play more critically than I have dono may like to venture au opinion as to the value of Captain Smith ' s inference . I have italicised tho Masonic terms or allusions in each quotation . In Act II . Scene 1 , Pompey says : —

" 'Twcre pregnant they should square between themselves ; For they have cutcrtuined causo enough To draw their swords : but how the fear of us May cement their divisions , aud bind up Tho petty difference , we yet not know . "

In Act II . Scene 2 , Mecamas , in conversation with Enobarbus , remarks of Cleopatra : —

" She s a most triumphant lady , if report bo square to her . " In the following scene ( 3 ) , Antony thus addresses Octavia : — " My Octavia , Eead not my blemishes in the world ' s report : I have not kept my square ; but that to come Shall all be done by the rule . " *

In Act III . Scene 2 , occurs the following , in a short speech by Cfflgar : — " Most noble Antony ,

Let not the piece of virtue , which is set Betwixt us as the cement of our love , To keep it builded , be tho ram to batter The fortress of it . "

In Act III . Scene 11 ., Lnobarbns says : — " Mine honesty and I begin to square . " For the benefit of those who may feel disposed to accept Captain Smith ' s idea that Shakespeare was one of our brethren , 1 will just recount a few tacts and dates , which certainly enjoy the merit of being . singular coincidences .

James 1 . of Great . Britain , when yet only James VI . of Scotland , patronised Masonry . Lawric mentions that in "The Privy Seal Book of Scotland til , F . J 7 , " is a letter dated Ilolyroodo House , iivth September 15 'JO , and granted by the King " to Patrick Copland ot Uduiiylit , for nsing and exercising the otlicc of Wardanrie over the

art and emit or musonrie , over all tho bouudis of Aberdeen , Baufl ' , and Kincardine , to had wardan aud justice courts within tho said bouudis , and there to minister justice . " This letter , by the way , thinks Laurie , proves that the King nominated the office beavers of

the Order , that Lodges existed iu these remote counties of Scotland , ami destroys Hobison ' s assertion in his Proofs of a Conspiracy , p . 2 ! that Elias Ashmolo , initiated a Fraemusoniu 1616 , is the only instance of a person who was not professionally an architect being initiated into tho Order . The subject is referred to iu Bro . D . Murray Lyon ' t

Masonic Phraseology In Shakespeare.

Freemasonry in Scotland—a most valuable and exhaustive work , but Bro . Lyon differs with Lawrie's views as above stated . James was also a great admirer of Shakespeare ' s works , and , on arriving in London , took iuto his pay and patronage the Shakespearian Company of Actors , calling them royal servants , and granting them

letters patent . Antony and Cleopatra , according to Gerviuus , was written in the year 1607-8 , the first mention of it occurring iu 1608 . According to Preston , James I . laid the foundation stone of Whitehall iu 1607 , there being present Inigo Jones , Grand Master of

England , and his Wardous , William Herbert , Earl of Pembroke , and Nicholas Stone , Esq ., Master Mason of England . In the Encyclopedia Britannica Inigo Jones ' s name will be found in the list of Grand Masters anterior to 1717 , as having held the office

from 1603 to 1618 , and agaiu from 1636 to 1646 . There is then something decidedly suggestive in this use of Masonic terms by the poet . Many a freely accepted theory has long rested on more imperfect data than Captain Smith ' s—that Shakespeare was a Mason - Yours fraternally Z .

Domesticism And Masonry.

DOMESTICISM AND MASONRY .

To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . Sin , —The duty of brethren dwelling together in unity is forcibly urged upon us all by the Divine Psalmist , and Masons , I both hope and believe , are not neglectful of the inspired advice offered to them . Many a deep and lasting friendship , many a relationship even closer still than that of friends , owes its origin to the casual meeting of two bi'ethren in the Lodge . It is well then that we should all of us

encourage a society which is the means of establishing such friendly ties among its members . At the same time , the claims of the household must not be overlooked and made of less importance than the fulfilment of our Masonic duties . Again , it must be borue in mind that Masonry urges us to do as much good as lies in our power both to brethren and others , but it enjoins us , also , strictly not to do this to tho detriment of ourselves and onr families . Nor is it otherwise

than praiseworthy when wo find a young brother anxious to attain position in the Cratt , with the very harmless desire of wearing sundry jewels , and commanding the admiration of those below him in rank . But ho should not exert this ambition to the neglect of his own duties at home , or at an outlay which tho requirements of his family demand . Let him , if he havo a little to spare for one of our charities , bestow it ungrudgingly , but let him first look to where charity begins . So shall he be both a good man and a good Mason . I am , fraternally yours , A PAST MASTER .

Answers To Correspondents.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS .

All Letters and communications must be addressed to the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE , 67 Barbican , London , E . C . P . Z . —Wo know of no such work as you speak of . LL . D . —Wo cannot entertain the question . OMEGA . —There is no law ou the subject , but , in our opinion , a

member should cither—not attend the Lodge , go out before tho ballot , or vote if he remains . QUINTAPLE . —Consult your Book of Constitutions , under that particular heading . EXPECTANT . —Wc fear you will be disappointed , but there is no harm

in trying . SEE TO IT . —Four is the number usually given , but some say six . ERRATU 3 I . —In tho " Cagliostro " correspondence , at lines 21 and 22 , second column page 230 , for "This Council of the Philalethoans " read " This Convention . "

THE MAIDEN ' S " PSALM OP LIPE . "—Tell us not in idle jingle " marriage is an empty dream , " for the girl is dead that ' s single , and things are not what they seem . Life is real , life is earnest ; single blessedness a fib ; "Man thou art , to man returneth , " has been spoken of the rib . Not enjoyment and not sorrow is our destined end or way , but to act that each to-morrow finds us nearer marriago

day . Lite is long and youth is fleeting , and our hearts , though light anil gay , still like pleasant drums arc beating wedding marches all the way . In the world ' s broad field of battle , in tho bivouac of lite , bo not like dumb driven cattle—be a heroine—a wife . Trust no future , howe ' er pleasant ; let the dead past bury its dead , act , act to tho living present ; heart within and hope ahead . Lives of married folks

remind us we can live our lives as well , and departing leave behind us such examples as shall " tell ; " such examples that another , wasting time iu idle sport , a forlorn unmarried brother , seeing shall take heart and court . Let ns , then , be up aud doing , with a heart on triumph set ; still contriving , still pursuing , and each one a husband get .

Houowiv ' s PILLS . —The long iiiul trying winters in this variable climate sap the Cumulations ut' hciltlt iu the strongest constitutions , and prepare tho way fur the itiroc . v •., ' dise , Lfe mul premature decay , and the results frequently -iiuw themselves , wiieu the advent of spring , with its brighter and wani-er days , eail . s iuto activity latent ; mischief . The peccant humours winch infect Liie frame can lie readily east out by the use of these well known and long esteemed Tills . They address themselves directly to the stomach , promote- and i erieet , the assimilation of the lood , and thus effect permanent and life-long unod . They thoroughly cleanse tho blood , regulate disordered digestion and . circulation , and by so doing , reinstate failing , weak , or unsound health .