Original Correspondence.

clustered round the voting system , and crushed any charitable life out of it which it may have originally possessed : — i . Utter absence of proper investigations of election claims . ( Vou call this a little blot : I call it a cancer . ) 2 . Exchange of votes . 3 . Sale of votes .

4 . Canvassing" by cards and circulars . 3 . Polling days and scenes . I do not " fine ) fault with thc administration of the Charities ; " others have done this , as would appear from many letters , & c , in the two Masonic papers . I take exception to the evils attendant on the present mode of admission . I know the difficulties that would attend the

abolition of the vote in regard to our Masonic Charities . I say , therefore , let the vote remain , but let it be pure and simple , and sent into the Secretaries to be duly scrutinised by the Committee , and duly recorded . I still contend , as a matter of history , that the provincial associations originated in a desire to " secure " the election of a local candidate , and counteract the

overweening powers and interests of thc metropolis ; while the metropolis of late , fearful of the giant strides of the provinces , has associated to " secure " its own . I do not presume to put before thc brethren a scheme which should supersede this complex anti unsatisfactory plan , but I am quite sure a delegate from each province and the

metropolis would soon strike out something more Masonie , just , and simple . " Absurd " or " crochetty , " dear Sir and Brother , on we go—and we hope to prosper too—unlil we get the bkts , both big and little , failly seen and knewn , and then expunged . Yours fratcrnallv ,

P . J . SIMPSON .. [ We are glad to have our brother's views clearly stated , and will call attention to them next week . We need hardly point out that Bro . Simpson assumes all thrcugh that the " exchange" of votes is an " abuse . " This we entirely deny . —ED . F . M . ]

FREEMASONRY IN SUFFOLK . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — 1 have read with pleasure " Freemasonry in Suffolk " in last week's number . The information contained in it is valuable and interesting , bvt I regret to find the author has not done common justice in stating where he had

obtained his information as to dates , which I see ( after examination ) was from the invaluable works of R . W . Bro . W . J . Hughan , styled " Register of Lodges , " anti Bro . Gould , styled " The Four Old Lodges . " Of these works I cannot speak too highly , as I look on them as books which are absolutely necessary for every brother to have . From them alone can be traced the

history of all English lodges prior to sixteen years ago ( 1863 ) . They are , in fact , a necessity for any brother who , like myself , is continually coming- across certificates dated prior to 1863 . In Scotland thc lotlge numbers have only once been

changed , and , I am happy to say , tbey have never been changed in Ireland , every lodge in that country retaining the same number from the date of its warrant being granted , which in Ireland has saved all the confusion in England . 1 remain , yours fraternally ,

JAMES H . NEILSON 5 , Upper Mount-street , Dublin , . nth July , 1870 .

LODGE FUNDS AND PAST MASTERS' JEWELS . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — The remarks of "A Native of Liverpool " in jour last impression arc so in accordance with my own feelings , that if you will kindly give me sjjace , I should like to again biiug before thc brethren a scheme I

suggested before your valuable paper was in existence . It is , that the three Secretaries of our Institutions should combine , and arrange with some Masonic jeweller for a special jewel in silver gilt , that should not cost them more than £ 1 15 s ., something tasty and distinctive , and when a lodge votes £ 3 55 . or more to a W . M . on leaving the chair , lclhim select which Charity he prefers , and let the money be sent to its Secretary , and let him record thc fact with a short

inscription on thc jewel . It would pay our Charities well to invest forty shillings to get in five guineas , the money would go in the right direction , and the brother ' s breast still be adorned . I would anxiously ask our worthy Secretaries to think it carefully over , and if they made it . 1 " speciality , " I am sure they will never regret the step or despise the humble suggestions of an old P . M . Croydon , 20 th July , 1870 .

ASSISTANCE FUND . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Following up my letter in your issue of July 5 th , I have much pleasure in informing you that the scheme therein contained will be put before the Craft almost immediately , and that it is supported by some of thc

leading and most distinguished members of the fraternity , The R . W . P . G . M ., , the Earl of Rosslyn , has personally undertaken to support the appeal , and the prospectus will he issued shortly with a long list of influential supporters . In thc meantime 1 think it desirable to give publicity to

the scheme , as possibly there are numbers of your readers who would like to join and have their ninies on the list as patrons and supporters . I may mention it is not necessary for a brother to undertake a Stewardship and have a long pocket , as it is a well-known fact that the result of the Steward's appeal who raises say £ 50 from 100 sub-

Original Correspondence.

scriptions does infinitely more good for the Charities generally than thc rich Steward who simply writes his cheque for too guineas and does no more . I mention this as I know there are many who feel they cannot undertake Stewardships to work for the Charities on the ground they feel they are not rich enough . Personally 1 cannot give the Institution as much as I

desire , still I do not hesitate to undertake a Stewardship , give my mite , and induce others to do the same . By this means I feel I more than compensate thc Institution . There are thousands of brethren who could not afford more than a few guineas , but who are , at the same time , in a position to induce other and licher brethren to do the same ( the rich are generally apathetic , and although they

give freely , they do not want the work ) . There are many in a position to raise £ 100 in two years . I trust , therefore , I may induce ninety-nine to join me . This alone would give the nucleus to the fund we are about to start . As an ilea , of how simple matters lead to big results , I would call your attention to the following . If every W . M . for the next year were to give up his jewel , £ 6000 would be

raised . To forego one banquet in every lodge at least double this sum . A £ 3 subscription from every lodge would realise £ 6000 ; one guinea from every initiation fee would give a good round sum ; five shillings from every name on Grand Lodge register would give over £ 25 , 000 . Stewards for the festivals of the Institutions have a very good opportunity to raise

subscriptions , anti tney coultl easily do so without in any way interfering wilh the working funds required for the Institutions . If evciy subscriber could add a guinea to the assistance fund what a large sum could be raised . Money couM be raised by means of balls , picnics , and bazaars , and if every lodge will put a collecting box in the ante-room as well as permit a subscription list to lie

on the Secretary ' s table , the Stewards not to let their brethren remain in ignorance of their whereabouts , many small sums would be secured to grow into a large total . To conclude , I shall be viry glad to receive the names of any brethren willing to act as Stewards or support the scheme as patrons , and a rough proof of prospectus shall be forwardetl for their approval . Suggestions will be received by

Deor Sir and Brother , yours faithfully , DICK . RADCLYFFE , P . S . B . 129 , High Holborn , London , W . C , 29 th July , 1879 . Lodges willing to support the appeal are specially invited to add their names to the list .

Reviews.

Reviews .

CATALOGUE OF FISHING TACKLE . W . T . Cummins , Herald Office , Bishop Auckland . This neatly devised and carefully printed catalogue of " fishing tackle " has been conned over by us with much interest . For we who write , where honest Izaak once wrote , wc who , in other days , have done such a thing as fish for trout and troll for pike , and even now have most

pleasurable memories of a savoury tench captured , ( oh ! ye gods and little fishes ) , with a night line , but cooked for breakfast , and eaten with the great gusto " of youth and health and a good iligc-stion to boot , " we still must feel an interest in such sublunary matters . Yes , we repeat , we must , therefore , still experience , though our fishing days be over , probably , much gratification on looking over so

extensive and so complete a catalogue . Alas I it takes us back , perforce , at once to other days and friends and scenes , to pleasant excursions and agreeable reunions , to visions , not only of deftly coloured flies but gay and dainty dresses , to cheery strolls , and peaceful musings , to all the pleasures of lhat goodly art , which Cotton praised in song , and Walton immortalized in prose . Bro . Cummins ' catalogue seems veri' full , and wc congratulate our

brethren fishers of the North , among whom we can mention a distinguished Canon as skilful in landing a salmon as in opening a barrow , on such a goodly collection of those paraphernalia of fishing gear , with whicli the artistic and patient disciple of old Isaak is able , " vi et armis , " to fill his basket anil display his energy . We commend the little catalogue to the notice of our readers and all brethren of the " rod . "

KENNING'S CYCLOP / EOIA OF FREEMASONRY . George Kenning , 198 , Fleet-street . This very useful anti valuable work , so highly praised by thc reviewers , and so widely read , ( best test to its reality ) , by the student , has recently received a signal mark of general appreciation . At a recent sale in the " dark North , " a second-hand and used copy of this great work

fetched at public auction the price of 14 s ., though sold to subscribers at 7 s . 6 d . and to the public , from the counter , at ios . ( id . Wc are glad to note this advance of the work in public opinion , and think it well to record the fact , as we have reason to believe that its worthy publisher is still ready to supply Masonic readers with what some one has kindly termed , " one of the must honest and readable of books . "

THE L 1 FE 30 AT , No . 113 , Vol . X . A Journal of the Lifeboat Institution . We are much struck with this interesting quarterly account of a most usetul institution and a great work . Few , perhaps , are aware of the wondrous help to " suffering humanity " and the vast saving of our sailors which our

lifeboat system so gallantly and so unostentatiously renders year by year . In 1878 , for instance , 616 lives were saved by thc lifeboats and their gallant crews , and month by month , during this unkindly year of 18 79 , 035 the labour proceeded and the good work speeded on . In 1878 the Royal National Lifeboat Association spent £ 35 , 358 on 258 lifeboat establishments ; and since the formation ofthe

Reviews.

society no less then 26 , 538 lives have been saved by its exertions . We have said enough , we think , to interest some of our readers in its work and claims .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

THE CONSTITUTIONS OF THE FREES ! iSON . S . WILLIAM J AMES HUGHAN . The reproduction of thc first Book of Constitution ' s issued by the Premier Grand Lodge of the World , at London , A . D . 1723 , has caused an inquiry to be made about that work and subsequent editions , and , as Bro . George Kenning , of London , through the editor of the fac-simile

edition ( the Rev . A . F . A . Woodford , M . A ., P . G .. C . of England , & c . ) has dedicated the superb volume to me , I have thought it desirable to furnish a short sketch of the work for the numerous readers of the " Voice , " scattered over thc "four quarters cf the globe . " The first Grand Lodge ever formed was in London early last century , and , of course , laws were required to guide thc

members . Hitherto the " Oltl Charges , " with local vacations , were deemed sufficient , and whilst the lodges mainly acted independently , these ancient documents answered accordingly . During thc sixteenth century , however , the speculative brethren were more freely admitted to the councils of the Craft , and , early last century , several of these able Craftsmen decided to start a Grand Lodge whicli

shoul . l control the lodges and their members in a much more thorough form than had for long been the custom . This organisation , thus started in London , was at first a small body confined to thc metropolis , and evidently not intended to dc much beyontl , until it became gradually apparent that it was going to be a success , when warrants were issued to other cities and towns , and the fancy of a

few became the rule for the many . Old lodges were revived , and many of thc ancient members countenanced the new order of things . Bro . George Payne , thc second Grand Master , 1718 , desired thc brethren to bring any old records they hail or knew of to the Grand Lodge , " in order to show the usages of ancient times , " and from these he compiled the " General

Regulations , " in 1720 , which the Grand Lodge approved in 1721 , when the third Grand Master , Duke of Montague , was installed . These were subsequently edited by the Rev . James Anderson , D . D ., by virtue of the same authority , with many additions , as also a rather fanciful history of Freemasonry and an arrangement of the "Old Charges , " in a modern form . The book was dedicated to his Grace

the Duke of Montague , by Dr . J . T . Desaguliers , F . R . S ., by order of the fourth Grand Master , the Duke of Wharton , and received thc approval of thc Grand Master , the Deputy Grand Master , the Grand Wardens , and the Masters and Wardens of twenty lodges , and issued in 1723 accordingly . Bro . Anderson appears in the list as follows : " xvii . James Anderson , A . M ., the author of this book , Master . " It

seems strange after such an . announcement that any doubt should ever have existed as to the name of the editor or author of the book , yet many have erroneously credited Dr . Desaguliers or Bro . Payne with the production of the volume . The book is especially valuable , as it is the first authorised regulations of the modern fraternity , and forms a curious link between the new and the old society . In my

" Old Charges of the British Freemasons , " I have given many transcripts of the ancient Constitutions , which , on examination , are all found to be of a Christian character , and for operative purposes only . It ceased , however , to be denominational or sectarian in any way after the revival of 1717 , and the first of the "Charges of a Freemason , " compiled by Dr . Anderson and agreed to by the Grand

Lodge , states , concerning God and religion : " But though in ancient times Masons were charged in every country to be of the religion of that country or nation , whatever it was , yet ' tis now thought more expedient only to oblige them to that religion in which all men agree , leaving their particular opinions to themselves . " This old charge has been slightly altered subsequently ,

and now reads : " Let a man's religion or mode of worship he what it may , he is not excluded from the Order , provided he believes in thc glorious Architect of heaven and earth , and practises the sacred duties of morality . " The society is therefore , or should be , everywhere ( from 1717 ) one in which men can be initiated without respect to their creed , country , or colour , so long as they practise

the sacred duties of molality as believers in God , & c . The "General Regulations" or thirty-nine articles , ( being numbered to xxxix . ) are very different to those required at thc present day , and some are quite different to those now adopted , in fact , quite opposed to the laws since enacted . They were not intended to be the final and unalterable laws of the Craft , for the last of these Jiasonic thirty-nine

articles provides for alterations which receive the sanction oi the majority present at the Grand Lodge , and are in accordance with the " Old Landmarks . " Twenty-five was the earliest age for admittance as a member unless by dispensation . For a long time it has been twenty-one in England and eighteen in Scotland , and a unanimous vote was necessary , which has since been variously changed by

Grand Lodges to not more than one , two , or three adverse votes , & c . In 1723 the ballot was not obligatory on a vote for initiation , now it is . Every new brother had to " clothe the lodge , " and to present a donation to charity , beyond the usual fee for initiation , which custom has long ceased to be observed . The Grand Lodge , in 1723 , consisted of the Master and Wardens of all the regular lodges , with the

Grand Wardens , Deputy Grand Master , and . Grand Master . These alone had the full privileges as members , but thc Treasurer and Secretary of Grand Lodge were members ex-officio in all respects save in the election of Grand Master and Wardens . Gradually , since this early period , the rights and privileges of Past Masters have been considered , and these useful brethren have generally been ad-