Original Correspondence.

gone back to December , 1 S 50—only 33 years . H he wil ' look back about S 7 years , that is about 179 6 , he will hnd I was correct , that our Grand Lodge of Scotland applied to our Grand Lodge of Ireland for recognition , & c . I have read the Irish minutes of it some years ago , but have lost my note of the exact date , and our Grand Secretary ' s office is closed , this being a general holiday , but my remembrance cf it is about 179 6 ; it may be a year or so eit . ier

way , but it is certainly before 1 S 00 . The December , 1 S 50 , letter our R . W . Brother refers to was as to the lilling up of the p lace of an old representative who had either died or resigned , same as our R . W . Bro . thi Hon . Augustus G . F . Jocelyn did some years ago at my suggestion , and my friend R . W . Bro . General Darby Griffith was appointed in his place , which honour

I hope he may long enjoy . As to R . W . Bro . Gould ' s query , I have copies of the " Ahirr . an Rezon" of 175 G , 1764 , and 177 S , but not of 17 S 7 , but I hope yet to get it . These three were all printed in London ; the " Ahiman Rezon" I refer to was printed in "Dublin by Dillon Chambcrlaine , Dame-street , facing Fowncs-Ltreet , " It is quite different in many ways from the three London " Ahiman Rezons . "—Yours fraternally , JAMES H . NEILSON . 32 , L < = 5 : on-street Lower , Dublin , March 26 th .

Reviews

REVIEWS

THE THREE WITNESSES . By the Rev . H . T . ARMFIELD , M . A . Samuel Bagster and Sons , 15 , Paternoster-row . This is just one of the works , however interesting and important in itself , which it is absolutely impossible for us to review in the Freemason . The wise and unchanging law of English Freemasonry is an entire abstention from

religious or political discussions , all questions , in fact , whether of theological bearing , political compass , and denominational colouring . In the present case , except as points cf pure " exegesis" and chirographic evidence which are not really before us , the question in this work is one so purely and peculiarly doctrinal and controversial , that

it is rendered utterly unlit and unsuitable for our non - combatant pages . The work is admirably put forth by its respected publishers , and its writer is well known , alike by his ability and his many valuable contributions to religious literature . Hence our regret is increased that our Masonic laws of the " Medes and Persians " forbid peremptorily further allusion to , or analysis of , it in the Freemason .

REPORT OF THE METROPOLITAN AND CITY POLICE ORPHANAGE FOR 1 SS 2 . The eighteenth report of this well-managed , and to the Metropolitan Police Force invaluable and most beneficial institution , is now before us , and we congratulate the " managers" on the undoubted evidence the report supplies , alike of skilful organization and satisfactory

developement . Indeed , in some returns the progress of the orphanage has been not a little surprising . It commenced with comparatively modest means and a limited " purview . " It has already developed in 13 years into a great institution , and the reality of its " outcome " may fairly be ascribed to the realization by all concerned in its administration and supporters of the unchanging truth of the good , old , and

reverent French adage , " Aide Toi-memeet Dieut ' aidera . " This has been the sensible idea of the school from its first foundation , and it is that which gives us the clue to its popularly , and offers us the key to its success . The members of the Metropolitan Police Force , to their great honour Le it remembered , none of them overpaid , have raised among themselves , as belonging to the Body

past and present , in one way or another the noteworthy and laudable amount of £ 7230 1 G 5 . Si ., out of £ 12 , 523 1 is . 7 d . of actual income in 1 SS 2 . The public has subscribed £ 4 ° - ) ' 9 - '" L ; legacies have been received of , (' 99 0 5 s . ; dividends on capital are £ . 175 ; and thus with thc balance from 1 SS 1 of £ 1 G 15 os . id ., thc whole amount of income in 1 SS 2 has reached the goodly figures of

£ 14 , 130 : 7 s . Sd . There is a balance in hand for 1 SS 2 of £ 1566 ; s . ' 5 d ., though £ 5521 os . 7 d . have been paid for needful ' buildings and improvements ; £ 445 4 s . 4 d . have been spent in repairs ; £ 1484 iSs . sd . have been required for furniture and clothing ; and £ 154 G ios . I id . for salaries and wages . Housekeeping has taken £ 2184 ios , 7 d ., while the smaller amounts for rates , water , and insurance , for

fuel , becks , and stationery , printing , medical attendance , sundries , postage , and conveyance are £ 404 iSs . 2 d . ; £ 147 r . s . Gd . ; £ 340 Ss . 4 d . ; £ 179 2 s . 9 J . ; £ 137 is . id . ; £ 80 ijs . 7 & . respectively , thus making a balance total of £ i 4 , i 3 S 17 s . Sd . as we said before . £ 5000 are now invested in Metropolitan stock . And if the financial arrangements of the orphanage be thus striking and thorough , its

educational and disciplinary reports arc equally most satisfactory , having in truth little to be desired or needed . There a : z now 150 boys' and 100 girls' in the Institution , and thc bright faces of the children as beheld in the "frontisp ' ece , " tell us an unmistakeable tale of happiness , cleanliness , health , and care . The testimony of " experts , "

which is both clear and realistic , evidently without colouring or partiality , offers both to the force and the subscribers the gratifying assurance that their money is well spent , in keeping up in meritorious efficiency an admirably managed orphanage , for kindly treated , carefully trained , and improved and contented inmates .

WEST LANCASHIRE MASONIC EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION . Report for 1 SS 2 . Thc report of this p rosperous provincial Institution , which reflects all credit on our good brethren of West Lancashire , is now before us . It has assisted during 1 SS 2

the education , clothing , and advancement ot 1 G 5 children , and it will probably continue to assist a like number in 1883 . It has now funded property to the amount of £ 16 , 839 19 s . iod ., and has a balance , despite its large expenditure , of £ 1811 12 s . iod . Its total from all sources

Reviews

wasiniS 82 , £ lGS 3 17 s ., and it spent £ 1212 18 s . Sd . on thc education , clothing , and advancement in life of 16 5 children , its grants varying from £ 30 to £ 1 is . It is clearly a much needed and most useful institution , well managed and doing- a great amount of good .

THE MAGAZINES . The magazines are once more pressing upon our notice , but wc can only just skim over their contents , and note their appearance for the information of those of our Craft who take an interest in serial literature . " Longman's " again appears , the lirst number of a new volume , but we feel bound to say with no perceptible

increase of strength or novelty . "The Century" seems to us to be remarkable , most remarkable , for its letter press and illustrations , and deserving the support of a large and increasing circle of English readers , a fact we are pleased to hear of and remember . " All thc Year Round" is strong this month , and we apprehend will have great attractions in various ways and

in different tales for young and old . "Temple Bar" has a very striking paper on "Schumann , " and some other contributions of interest . "How the Major Kept his Word " is most amusingly and graphically told . " Belinda" and " Tone Stewart" progress . The " Monde Maconnique" again claims our Masonic attention , but we tear that the purely French tone and

ideas so unhappily unsound and unsafe just now , will deter Anglo-Saxon readers . This entire isolation of French Masonic life , and the schismatic outcome of French Masonic teaching are two very deplorable facts , " selon nous . " "The Antiquary and Bibliographer , " the Castor and Pollox of archaeological reality , if " arcades ambo" in

one sense , in another constitutes a " specialite' for those who like ourselves still love to linger amid the things and tales , the words and relics of olden days . " Mr . Scarborough ' s Family"' is a story written by the late Anthony Trollope , which has been runn ' ingin " Temple Bar , " and is now drawing to a close . We must honestly confess that while we do not think it equal to several of

Bro . Trollope ' s stronger efforts , yet we like it , andit has several very strong points . We are glad to subjoin to this little mention of our lamented brother some lines of the happy " In Memoriam " of Mr . Mowbray Morris , which we consider equally true and manly : " He writ the homely annals of his day , What English men and women do and say , The fireside story of their work and play .

He sought not fashion ' s mood or fancy ' s grace , Within his mirror all who would might trace The literal likeness of a human face . And thousands did on thousands , maid and wife , Father and son , for pure his page as life , And both with honest thought and purpose rife . What though the man were rugged to the view , And blunt of speech , no one who knew him knew A soul more gentle , generous , and true . "

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

152 ] CHARLES SACKVILLE . Happily my answer to "G . B . A . " will be short . As a great controversialist once said , " we shall probabl y have written more than any one will care to read , " and in one respect at any rate , it appears to me , that the continuation of our friendlv controversy is most undesirable and hopeless .

Bro . " G . B . A . " and myself are to a great extent at cross purposes . In order to render his extended arguments available , he has to assume the whole point in dispute and advance a complete " petitio principii . " He puts forward as his premise that the medal is authentic . But if it be not , what then ? Like a house of cards , his whole building of every kind of evidence falls to the ground at once . I have not obscurely said that I doubt very much indeed the

authenticity of the medal . A medal may have been struck at St . Petersburgh for the "Strict Observance ; " but was it really struck in Florence ? and is not the use of Chas . Sackville ' s name an afterthought and a " pious fraud ? " The only evidence so far that I know of is that of the " Strict Observance" itself in 1777 . lam now in communication with Bro . Findel , to see if I can obtain any further German evidence on the question . When I have I will write again . DRYASDUST .

153 ] A FREEMASON IN 1 G 03 . My esteemed friend , Bro . W . J . Hughan , curiously enough , like my able brother , R . F . Gould , does not seem carefully to have read my humble " leaderette . " Bro . Gould says practically in the second volume of his most striking work that the starting point of English Speculative Ma'onry may fairly date from 1 O 4 G , the initiation of Elias Ashmole ; but

if we can obtain evidence as in 1 G 03 of an early Speculative English Freemasonry , we surely alter all the known conclusions so far of English seventeenth century Masonic history . For it is to this point , and this point alone , that my remarks were and are directed . I venture to think the discovery of " gentlemen Freemasons" early in the seventeenth century a most important fact , and a fact that must be a most potent factor in all subsequent disquisitions on

seventeenth century English Freemasonry . If similar " entries" are to be found they would go far lo show that as wc seem to gather from the evidence of Ashmole , Randal Holmes , Plot , & c , Sjieculative Freemasonry was more widely diffused in England in the seventeenth century than we have hitherto believed to be the case . Hence the importance of any similar discovery , which settles once and for ever what has indeed been the long cxi > loded 1717 theory . THE WRITER OF THE LEADERETTE .

154 ] FREEMASONRY IN DONCASTER . Rejilying to Bro . Todd ' s query , I find in the " Freemason ' s Calendar " for 1709 , at the No . 43 S , Duke of York's Lodge , White Bear Inn , Doncaster . " In the edition , however , of iSiothe " Elm Tree , Binglcy , Yorkshire , " becomes the [ place of meeting—though the name— " Duke of York ' s Lodge , " is continued . Thc odge WITS carried forward at thc Union ( 1813 ) and appears

Masonic Notes And Queries.

as No . 502 , the " Duke of York ' s Lodge , Bingley , " in the Calendar for 1 S 14 . Its designation was unchanged in the edition of 1 S 20 , but whether erased or simply dropped out at the re-numbering in 1 S 31 , I am unaware , as I possess no calendars for the years between 1820 and ISJG . R . * F . GOULD . 155 ] ¦ I have looked into the point raised by Bro . Todd , P . M .

and Treasurer 23 G , respecting the " Dukeof York" Lodge , No . 520 , Doncaster . Bro . Todd is in error in stating it does not appear on the " Union " roll . It was numbered 502 on the register of the United Grand Lodge of England , as contained in the calendar of lSis ( really 1 S 14 , being year of actual issue ) . Bro . W . Delanoy , in his " History of St . George's Lodge , Doncaster , " quotes from Bro . Riley's "History of the Airedale Lodge , No . 3 S 7 " so far

, as respects the particulars furnished by thc latter brother of the " Duke of York " Lodge . It seems its last minute is dated 25 th January , 1 S 15 . * I have searched the " Proceedings" of Grand Lodge from the "Union , " and find that No . 502 , " Duke of York , " Bingley , was erased with many other lodges on March sth , 1 S 2 S . It was removed to Bingley in 1 S 07 , having languished at Doncaster ; but the change did little more than galvanise it into a brief

existence . \ V . J . HUGHAN . 156 ] . The Duke of York ' s Lodge , Doncaster , held its first meeting ist September , 17 SS , and its last at Bingley , January 25 th , 1 S 15 . The reference to it by Bro . Delanoy is not satisfactory , being from my Address to 3 S 7 in 1 S 77 instead of from my History ( 1 SS 0 ) of which he had a copy . Strange to say before I published its history even

Doncaster Masons knew nothing about it . The Airedale Lodge , No . 3 S 7 , sprung irom the very ashes of the second Doncaster Lodge , formed originally by a few brethren of St George's . J . RAMSDEN RILEY , P . M . and Sec . Airedale , No . 3 S 7 . 157 ] 1 am much indebted to my good friend , Bro . Dr . Palcy , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W . West Yorks , for drawing mv attention

to Bro . Ramsden Riley ' s History of the Airedale Lodge , No . 3 S 7 , " which contains particulars of the career of the Dukeof York ' s Lodge . It appears that the lodge was originally constituted at Doncaster in 17 SS and continued to meet at that place at irregular intervals until 1 S 06 . In 1 S 07 it was removed to Bingley , in the West Riding , but does not seem to have prospered there any more than at Doncaster . The last record at Bingley is dated 23 rd January , 1 S 15 , but the last name registered by Grand

Lodge was in August , 1 S 0 S , and the last payment to the Fund of Benevolence was made in November of the same year . For neglecting its returns the VV . M . and Wardens were summoned to attend Grand Lodge on December 4 th , 1 S 22 , but the lodge was not finally erased until March 5 th , 1 S 2 S . In 1792 the number of the lodge was altered to 43 S , and in 1 S 13 to 502 . In Bro . Hughan's "Masonic Register "it is I observe mentioned amongst the extinct lodges since 1 S 13 as the " Duke of York , Bingley . "

ANON . 15 S ] _ . lhis lodge was constituted at Doncaster in 17 SS , but removed to Bingley in 1 S 07 , and appears to have become defunct about 1 S 15 . I understand that the lodge furniture and jewels became the property of thc Airedale Lodge when it was opened at Baildon , April nth , 1827 . I daresay Bro . J . Ramsden Riley , P . M ., will be able to furnish Bio . Todd and the Craft will further particulars .

GEORGE MARKAM TWEDDELL . 159 ]

THE CHARTER OF LARMEN 1 US . In reading our Bro . Gould ' s able remarks at p . 500 , vol . II ., I think a little " note" on the subject may not be taken amiss . It is quite true that no " facsimile " has ever been published , but Bro . Gould does not seem to be aware that in 1 S 25 a " Manuel des Chevaliers de 1 'Ordre du Temple " was published by authority by a Chevalier Guyot , a French bookseller , and that similar works

had been published in 1 S 11 and 1 S 17 . In this last edition attention is called to certain imperfect copies of documents by Louis de Sundgaw , formerly a " magistral secretary , " who it seems gave them without authority , and from whom the muniments and documents of the Order , many of them " mutilated , " were with difficulty eventually obtained on his dismissal . This work contains the " Carta

Transmissionis , " or " Chartc de Transmission " of Larmenius , in full , which he himself terms " Has Decrctales Literas , " and which deed he professes to date February 13 , 1324 . This is signed by all subsequent Grand Masters . It would almost seem as if thc Charter of Transmission and the subsequent Grand Masters followed thc names of the Grand Masters precedent to Molai in thc " Grand Chartrier de I'Ordre , " which in one place is called " Tabula

Aurea , but as the charter is said to be written in "two columns , with letters silvered and gilded , " it may well be that the whole MS . is called the " Tabula Aurea . " In 1825 the Order professed to have in its possession some relics of the bones of Molai and his fellow victims , his sword , the casque of Guy d'Auvergne , a Templar sword , the Beauceant , the war standard , several MSS . and reliquaries , & c . What the present condition of the Order is I know not , if even it exists at all or where these documents nt

relics are . The " Levitikon , " as it is called , but which is not mentioned specially , is an old MS . Gospel of St . John , apparently tampered with for some purpose . Indeed , if we are to believe some French writers the whole affair is an " outcome " of trickery and deception and deliberate fraud . There seems to be many reasons why Bro . Gould ' s judgement , like that of others , is correct , namely , that the charter as a charter is untenable , and that Burncs was ' completely in the wrong in upholding its verity . A MASONIC BOOK COLLECTOR .

iGoj OLD MASONIC MEDAL . I have lately had shown me an old silver pierced jewel of 1 should say about 1790 to iSco , of which , as usual , I send you a description . 1 he jewel appears to have been cut out of a plate of silver about 2 : ' lin . by 2 in ., the emblems , & c ,

being all engraved thereon . Obverse : the all-seeing eye surrounded by clouds , below which arc the square and compasses extended to an arc of 90 degrees . On each side of the compasses is a pillar surmounted by a globe . A ribbon connects and encircles the two p illars , the ribbon bearing the motto "Amor honor et Justitia . " Pendant from the