Original Correspondence.

I contend that a P . M . so joining should take his position as a P . M . immediately below tbe tben junior P . M . of the lodo-e , in the same way in which he takes his position on the roll of members next below the then junior member , and that he should be entitled to all the privileges of a P . M ., the same as if he had served as W . M . of the lodge .

Of course , in this contention I would limit it to those P . M . ' s who have not forfeited their position by ceasing to subscribe to a lodge for twelve months , which I consider to be a reasonable condition . At any rate , in the new edition of the Constitutions I trust the status of P . M . 's will be more clearly defined . Yours fraternally ,

P . PROV . C . DEACON EAST LANCASHIRE . ARCH NAMES . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Kindly allow me space for a suggestion to those companions who are in doubt , and who assume the character of " anxious enquirers " on the above subject .

The next time they attend a Royal Arch Chapter , and " assist" at an exaltation , let them pay close attention to the latter ceremony , as well as to the opening service , and they will perhaps have their doubts removed as to the use of " Most Excellent . "

Further , let them read Article 50 , p . 17 , of the present Royal Arch Regulations , and they will also see why H . and J . are entitled to the same prefix , forming , as they do conjointly the Crown of the Arch . Yours faithfully and fraternally , E . T . BUDDEN , P . Z .

BRO . MACKENZIE . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — As you declined to insert my reply to Bro . Buss , to " P . M ., " and to " Nemo , " dated the 26 th July , I will not trouble you again . The truth will , without doubt , come

out in due course , and the brethren who have made these statements will regret them . In the meantime , I entreat my brethren—if you will insert my letter at all , which I very much doubt—to suspend their judgments on the matter , and remember that my version of the circumstances has not yet been given . I remain , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally ,

KENNETH R . I-I . MACKENZIE . Clyde House , Hounslow , August 2 nd . I Bro . Mackenzie's original letter could have been published had hc been pleased to withdraw one or two passages which were purely personal . —En . F . M . ]

Reviews.

REVIEWS .

THE LAST PUNIC WAR . SECOND NOTICE . By Bro . A . M . B ROADLEV . VV . Blackwood & Sons . Though it was not in our power , owing to the living and contemporary politics with whicb the able work of Bro . Broadley bristled , in our original review to do more practically than announce its appearance and commend its perusal , as a literary effort of great ability aud value ; yet a careful studv of it , page by page , enables us to point out

one or two special points which will have alike much interest for the general and the Masonic reader ! One is the existence of Mahomedan secret societies , a vast confraternity of " Islam , " which just now till North Africa , and from whose organization and energy Bro . Broadley seems to anticipate a somewhat remarkable outcome . VVe may say en passant " with the Times , " that Bro . Broadley gives us

a very effective history of Tunis itself from the Norman Conquest ; a masterly sketch of its inhabitants and its physical geography ; so that his work is likely henceforth to take rank as " the standard authority on its various subjects . But to return to the Secret Societies . The Khouan isa semipolitical , semi-relig ious confraternity , which constitutes a sort ot Freemasonry . There are seven special associations

in Algeria , Tunis , Iripoh , and which though ostensibly formed against the French influences , are purely Moslem , animated by an unextinguishable hatred of Europeans and Christians . Bro . Broadley gives us a wonderful account of Kaitwan and its great Mosque , with its 439 columns , and the little Mosque of one poor room , scarce 30 feet broad by 10 feet deep . It seems that the Mosques

are built upon old Roman work , that " Mns Romana " of which wehearso much in the Early Chroniclers , and was not , as some fancy , merely brick work . Bro . Broadley gives us linally some revolting , if truthful pictures , of the Aissaonia sect , whose guiding principle seems to be . the greatest

possible measure of self-inflicted bodily torture , coupled with the greatest conceivable amount of religious frenzy . As has been long known to travellers , Mahommedanism is really like a " whited sepulchre , " of which we have heard . VVe commend Bro . Broadley's work once again , though we cannot dilate upon it in these neutral pages .

THE SECOND PART OF BRO . FINDEL'S WORKS . As we said before , Bro . Findel is now publishing his numerous Masonic Treatises in fourteen monthly parts and live volumes . This part completes the first volume , and Uro . Findel supplies an ornamented cover for about sixpence , which anyone can obtain by writing to J . G . Findel , Leipsic . The price of each part is a shilling . This part contains "Der VVeg zum Licht , " "Der Lichtbund der

1 ' reimaurer , " "Das Zeitatter der Aufklarung , Freiheit , Gleckhect , Bruderlichkeit , " and " Die Gegenwart und das Menscheitsideal . " These are probably not the works which will most commend Bro . Findel to English readers , as some of us may think that he is following a " Will o ' the Wisp . " though they admire his history . Still , it is remarkable to note and to know what Bro . Findel has written , lhe collection is admirably printed .

Reviews.

HISTORY OF THE AIREDALE LODGE , No . 3 S 7 . By Bro . J . R . RILEY , P . M . and P . Z . Bradford : G . F . Sewell . This is a large paper copy of a very useful , if unpretending , work , which is in itself a great help to Masonic students , and a valuable contribution to our knowledge of

past l- ' nglish lodge-life and annals . We have alluded to the work favoarably before , and * will only add that Bro . Riley seems to have discharged his duty as a Masonic chronicler both efficiently and conscientiously ; both discreetly and manfully . VVe welcome all lodge histories , as , though apparently trite and monotonous , they contain always some one fact of archaeological value .

RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE SUPREME COUNCIL OFTHE ANCIENT AND ACCEPTED RITE . Corrected to June 30 th , 1 SS 2 . This ne < v " wide mecum " of all members of the Ancient and Accepted Rite , 33 , Golden-square , as corrected to June 30 , 1 SS 2 , comes before us with official authority , and in careful supervision and arrangement . It is , so to say , the

Book of Constitutions of Golden-square , and of the numerous and intluential organization under the control of the English Supreme Council , and has for all loyal members of the Rite naturally alike the greatest interest and supreme authority . VVe , therefore , think it right to announce gratefully its appearance , and to thank those who are responsible for it for its excellent arrangement and clear and distinct information .

THE NEW PUBLIC BUILDINGS ON PENN SQUARE IN THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA . Printed for the Commissioners . Philadelphia : 1 SS 0 . If our American cousins have no ancient piles of buildings , such as are found in the countries of the Old World , to boast of , they seem determined to make good the deficiency , and , whenever the necessity arises , are deterred by no thought of expense from making the public edifices they

are periodically called upon to erect as commodious , as suitable to the purposes for which they are required , and as magnificent and well - appointed as possible . We have heard it said by those well qualified to offer an opinion , that the New Public Buildings on Penn-square , in the city of Brotherly Love , are as fine and on as grand a scale , if not finer and grander , than any similar structure in any European country , and to judge from the particulars in this

pamphlet , we can well believe it . I he illustration , which serves as the frontispiece tothe descriptive account , demonstrates this beyond the possibility of question , and were confirmation needed , it will be found in the account itself . Nor has any lengthened period of time been consumed in its erection . In April , 1 S 70 , the Act , which provided that a building capable of accommodating all the public ofiices , etc ., in the city should be erected , passed both Houses of

the State Legislature , and , on the 5 th August following , or twelve years exactly to this very day ( Saturday ) , it received the approval of the Governor of the Sfate . The first meeting of the Commissioners appointed under the Act was held at the oflice of the Mayor of Philadelphia on the 27 th August ; on the 15 th September , John McArthur was elected architect ; on 4 th October a permanent organisation was established , with

Bro . John Rice , whose place has since been occupied by Bro . Samuel C . Perkins , a Past Grand Master of Pennsylvania , as President . In the course of the same month , by a majority of voters of the city , Penn-square , the very spot indicated for such a purpose by William Penn . the founder of the State , was chosen in preference to Washingtonsquare , for the site of the buildings . On the iGth August , 1 S 71 , the ground was formally broken by Bro . John Rice .

On the 7 th April , 1 S 72 , it was finally resolved on adopting the original idea of placing the structure at the intersection of Market and Broad-streets , and having one block of building instead of a building in four blocks . On the 12 th August of the same year the foundation was laid . On tbe 4 th July , iS 74 ( Independence Day ) the corner stone of the superstructure was laid with Masonic ceremonial by Bro . Alfred R . Potter , then Grand Master of Pennsylvania , assisted by

his Grand Officers , in the presence of the Mayor of the city , the Select and Common Councils , the heads of Departments , and a large concourse of citizens , the Hon . Benjamin Harris Brewster , the orator of the day , delivering an appropriate address . Up to the ist January , 1 SS 1 , the expenditure amounted to over 6 , 922 , 000 dollars , or £ 1 , 384 , 400 sterling . On ist January , 1877 , the supreme Court of the State ( including the Prothonotary ' s Officer ;

took up the quarters assigned to it ; the Highway Department followed suit in 1 S 7 S ; the Survey Department and Headquarters of the Division and of the First Brigade of the National Guard in 1 S 79 ; and in 18 S 0 the Boiler Inspectors , the Board of Revision of Taxes , Markets and City Property Board , and the Receiver of Taxes , while it was expected that in 1 SS 1 , the City Treasurer , City Controller , City Commissioners , and Commissioners of

Fairmount Park would be in occupation of the rooms intended for them . Other of the Stato Departments have followed or will follow , and in time all the Public Olliees , with the archives of the State . will be brought together under one roof . As to the building , a lew particulars of its dimensions will be of interest to our readers . From north to south it measures 4 S 0 A feet , and from east to west 470 feet , the area it occupies includes 4 . V acres . The height of the main

tower is 535 feet , and its width at base 90 . The centre of the clock face , which has a diameter of 20 feet , is 361 feet above the pavement , and the height of the upper balcony 295 feet . The number of rooms on the building is 520 , and the extent of floor-room 14 V acres , while the height of each centre pavilion is 202 feet 10 . V inches , and of the corner towers 161 feet . The foundations of the main tower are laid on a bed of solid concrete , 8 feet thick and 90 feet

square , and its walls , whicli are 22 feet thick at lhe base , are built of dressed dimension stones , weighing from 2 to 5 tons each . The spring of the dome is . 395 feet 2 inches above the courtyard , and here the tower represents an octagon of 56 feet in diameter , and tapering to a height of 103 feet 10 inches , is tben crowned by a statue , 30 feet high , of the founder of the State . In the centre of the

structure is a courtyard , 186 feet north and south by 220 feet east and west , and there are two additional arches , each measuring 45 feet north and south by 6 c , feet east and west , affording abundance of light and air to all the adjacent portions of the building . Access to the different stories is gained by means of four large elevators , placed at the intersection of the principal corridors , and also by grand staircases in each of the

Reviews.

four corners of the building , and each of the central pavilions on th- fourseveral fronts . Thestyleof architecture may be described as coming under the order of the Renaissance , but varied and adapted to the many and extensive requirements of an American Municipality . It is designed in the spirit , but without servile imitation , of French Art . The four fronts are similar in design , there

being in the centre of each an entrance pavilion S ( 5 feet wide , and rising to the height of 201 feet , flanked by receding wings 53 feet in length by 130 feet elevation , and receding curtains GSi feet long by 11 S feet elevation , terminating at each of the four corners with lowc-s or pavilions 48 feet square and 1 C 1 feet high , 'lhe main entrances in the centre of each centre pavilion , are iS feet

wide and 3 ( 1 feet high . The entire superstructure , with its mural embellishments , i . s composed of white marble from the quarries at Lee , in Berkshire , Mass ., and is surrounded by a grand avenue which on the southern , eastern , and western points is 135 feet wide , and 20 s feet

wide on the southern front . From the various illustrations we should judge that the exterior and interior , and no doubt also the embellishments , are very beautiful , both in conception and execution . In line , this magnificent specimen of the architectural capabilities of Philadelphia is one of which its citizens may justly be proud .

THE MAGAZINES FOR THE MONTH . The magazines are again before us in all their plethora of passing literature . How much of it survives in grateful memory , or is effective for present good , may lie a matter of grave question . " The Century " is indeed to the fore , alike in letterpress and illustrations . It is full of information and instruction

, grateful reminiscences and sound teaching . If it had no other article but the " Borderlands of Surrey , " it would be worth double its price . Peruse it carefully , good reader of tl . e Freemason . It will come in well in a boat on a lake or a sitting under thc rocks . " AH the Year Round ' ¦ " for July embraces a very remarkable " Summer Number , " and we specially commend it to

the notice of our many friends , old and young . VVe do not like " A Strange Love Story , " but " Held at Bay , " " All in the Downs , " "When the Wicked Man , " are excellent reading , and above all the " Romance of Ryde Pier" is simply inimitable . In the normal number Stoddart ' s last love story , and " In Bonnie Scotland , " are very good . "A Catspaw" only shows us well what a woman can and will do .

" 'Temple Bar " finishes well with " A Ball-room Repentance , " and we can safety recommend it . " Letitia's Long Day " is also very good . For thc rest of the staple of " 1 emple " we must refer our readers to No . 261 itself . " The Antiquary ? ' gives us several most interesting

dryasdustic articles ; and " The Bibliographer " pursues thc even tenour of its way , full of valuable information for those who con its pages . " 'The Canadian Craftsman " is one of the best edited of our Masonic serials .

" 1 he Masonic Monthly , " August , No . 2 of the new series , is just out , and is evidently carefully arranged to suit Masonic tastes and reading . VVe wish we could think , that Masonic readers were in proportion to the expense and trouble undertaken month by month to afford them information , instruction , and amusement combined .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

35 J REFERENCES . Our esteemed Bro . Fort has sent a most able and interesting paper to the Masonic Monthlv , entitled " Art and the builders of Monte Cassino , " & c . He seems to have had access to some old monastic chronicle or chronicler . He would confer a great hel p on all Masonic

students if he kindly gave us a reference to the exact source of his most effective paper , and his striking statements . Just now all references are important , as the want of references has constituted a serious trial to all Masonic students . Ask Bro . Gould . I for one have read Bro . Fort's dear and thoughtful paper with very great pleasure , admiring alike his effective style and his Masonic zeal . MASONIC STUDENT .

3 G . , PIO NONO . In the Freemason of the 15 th ult . some remarks of mine on this question were inserted , and our Editor kindly made some general observations in repl y which I am afraid have inadvertently prevented others answering my questions . I should like to repeat two of them . 1 . Can any brother oblige me with the full title of a Cologne paper which has been described as the " official Masonic paper at Cologne " ( date 1 SG 5 ) ? 2 . Where can I obtain a peep at the minutes of the Grand Orient of Italy ? G . WM . SPETH .

37 . 1 THE COMPANY OF MASONS . Masons were incorporated about the year 1419 , having been called the Free Masons , a Fraternity of great account , which have been honoured b y several kings and very many nobility and gentry being of their society . Thev are governed by a Master and two Wardens , twenty-five assistants , and there are sixty-five on the livery , the fine for

which is £ 5 , and that for Stewards , £ 10 . Their armorial ensigns are azure , on a chivron , between three castles , argent , a pair of compasses somewhat extended of the first . Crest , a castle of the second . 'Their hall is in Basing Lane . ! Sent by a correspondent as transcribed from an old Book . —En . h ' . M . 1

IIRK . IT JiAvr . i . KomiKi'is . —The public are beioinine ; so accustomed to reading reports ol * jewel robberies that numbers of the nobility are taking steps to secure their i . iloables Irom the attack ot the modern burglar , and the demand lor Milner's [ ewellery . Safes is largely on the increase . These are made to lit 111 cabinets lo suit any kind of wood , ami are the best ami cheapest safeguard again-t lire and thieves . Milner ' s Sale Company ( Limited ) , 2 » , l- * insbury Pavement , li . C , have some hm > . ilredsof testimonials from gentlemen who have Milner ' s lewellers Safes mthcirpossession . and in no instance have burglars succeeded in opening them . Safes are made specially for Masonic jewellery Records , o- 'C , ¦ ' "