Ar00200

say . To us , who know something about these matters , it seems to reflect great credit on the Girls' School Secretary and his staff that they should be able to record payment of so large a proportion of the Returns at the aforesaid Festival , nor have we much doubt about the arrear donations and

subscriptions being paid to the Institution within a reasonable space of time , We certainly have less doubt about this happening than that the authors of these uncomplimentary remarks will ever be found expressing an opinion which is based on reason and common sense .

* „ WE announced last week—and we have much pleasure in The new G . , r „ Master of repeating the announcement—that Bro . CLIFFORD P . Pennsylvania . MACCALLA ) Editor of the Philadelphia Keystone , has been elected , and by this time installed , G . Master of the Grand Lodge of

Pennsylvania for the current year . Bro . MACCALLA has played an imposing part in the United States Freemasonry of our time , not only as Editor of one of the best informed and instructive among American Masonic journals , but also as an able exponent of our system both in lodge and chapter . He is chiefly known , however , for his diligent researches into the early history of

the Craft in North America , researches which have enabled him to obtain priority of place for the claims of his mother Grand Lodge to be what is commonly spoken of among the brethren in the States as the

"Mothei-City ot American Freemasonry . " We congratulate the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania on its election of so able a brother to preside over it as Grand Master , and Bro . MACCALLA on the conspicuous honour thus conferred upon him by his Grand Lodge .

"Ars Quatuor Coronatorum" (No. 2076).

"ARS QUATUOR CORONATORUM" ( No . 2076 ) .

Another wonderful part is issue d of the Transactions of the Lodge " Quatuor Coronati , " No . 2076 , London , being the fifth published , and the completion of Volume I ., running to considerably over 200 pages , royal octavo . We say wonderful , as we are at a loss how to describe this extraordinary volume by terms usual or common to Masonic publications generally .

The first paper printed in Part 5 bears the suggestive title " Scottish Freemasonry in the Present Era , " and was written by Bro . Edward Macbean , author of an interesting pamphlet on " Masonic Symbolism " ( his Essay-piece for membership ot the select inner-circle ) , and well-known

in the neighbourhood of Glasgow as an acceptable lecturer on the subject of Masonic History . This address was delivered at the lodge held on October 5 th , 1888 , and was in continuation of the series admirably inaugurated by Bro . Gould when W . M ., in November , 1887 , and ably followed by Bro . G . W . Speth , the Secretary , in May last .

Bro . Macbean has furnished a handy sketch of the chief peculiarities of the Scottish Craft that would naturally strike an English brother : and being a member of both jurisdictions , as also a keen observer , he has not failed to note not a few blemishes , as well as one or two advantages , under the North British Grand Lodge , as compared with the usages and customs

of the Southern Fraternity . Nearly all the officers are appointed by the Grand Lodge , and even Provincial Grand Masters have to be voted by the same body . The proxy system is in full force , which is a plan we have always disliked , and still much prefer the direct representation that prevails in England . The Degrees recognised are the first three , and the Mark

( be it noted ) , besides which , of late years , the esoteric ceremony of installation—as in England—has been adopted . The Master , however , is selected from the Master Masons , the Warden ' s qualification not being deemed either desirable or necessary , neither is there any limit as to the number of years that members may serve , and the officers generally are selected by the Masters , as in Grand Lodge .

Differences in such matters are expected , as no two Grand Lodges agree exactly as to their rules , but in Scotland the two serious drawbacks are the

low minimum fee for initiation , and the fact that there is no compulsory annual subscription to secure lodge membership . Papers of this kind , by brethren so well informed thereon as Bro . Macbean , are most useful contributions , and should be followed by a similar essay by some competent Irish brother , so that the peculiarities of the Masonic laws and customs of the three kingdoms may be widely known .

On November Sth , 1 S 88 , Bro . William Simpson , R . I ., was installed as W . M . by his distinguished predecessor , Bro . Gould , and alter that ceremony the new Ruler delivered a very appropriate address , which is to be found in this part . Bro . Simpson is a Master of whom the lodge may justly be proud , and in his hands there is absolute certainty of the high aim of

the founders being respected and maintained , as by his illustrious predecessors , Bros . Sir Charles Warren . G . C . M . G ., and Robert Freke Gould . The latter brother , at the " Festival of the Four Crowned Martyrs " ( the installation day ) , in proposing the health of the new W . M . alluded most felicitously to the eventful career of Bro . Simpson , as a traveller , an artist ,

an archseologist , a patriot , and a Freemason , in all of which departments he has proved himself "first among his equals , " and inferior to none . We quite believe with Bro . Gould that the Master ' s extensive learning , varied experience , kindness of heart , and geniality of disposition peculiarl y fit him for that position , especially in relation to such a lodge as No . 276 .

At this meeting , in addition to the excellent address of the Master (¦ whic'i should be carefully studied by all the members of both circles who are anxious to properl y discharge their duties in connection with the lodge ) , Bro . Kupferschmidt , P . M . 238 , read a valuable paper , entitled " Notes on the Relations between the Grand Lodge of England and Sweden in the last Century / ' This is the author ' s " Masterpiece , " and will doubtless pro-

"Ars Quatuor Coronatorum" (No. 2076).

cure him the coveted membership of the lodge . The history of this Grand Lodge ( as also that of the other , under the so-called Swedish system—National Grand Lodge of Berlin ) is involved to some extent in obscurity , and many of the particulars prevalent as to its origin and character are untrustworthy , and not a few are absurd . The author wisely begins his

paper with the year 1752 , and from that period gives a capital digest of the chief points of interest concerning the early transactions of Freemasonry in Sweden . He does more , for he has traced items of intelligence respecting three lodges , warranted in that country , by our Prov . Grand Master , R . VV . Bro . Charles Tullman ( not FuIIman , as usually spelt ) , which hitherto have escaped notice and particularization .

They will be found duly noted by Bro . John Lane in his " Masonic Records , 1717-1886 , " but not their names , the titles they bore being recorded in a letter written by Bro . Tullmann , and sent by him to the Grand Lodge of England . No word as to their locality occurs in the Grand Lodge

Registers , so that this paper is especially important and of great service to all those who make Lodge History , Nomenclature , and Numeration their study . This contribution alone ought to make Part 5 a success , as its originality of research , as well as conspicuous accuracy , are distinguishing features in relation to a most obscure subject .

The subsequent remarks of Brothers Gould , Hughan , Shackles , and Speth prove that Bro . Kupferschmidt has " struck oil , " and done good service , and besides which his researches have resulted in the discovery that a medal was struck in 1780 , in commemoration of the installation of the

Grand Master , which is quite distinct from that of the Byerken medal of the same year , though the authorities usually have considered they were one and the same , At least , such is the opinion of Bros . Hughan and Shackles , who are well versed in such a matter , and cheerfully acknowledge the merits of this portion of the paper , so that Dr . Merzdorf's surmise is

incorrect . A copy of the " Deed of Trust" is printed , for the information of all concerned ; and as it relates to the library , now rapidly increasing , it will be eagerlv perused by would-be donors , as also by those who have already most generously made gifts of books , & c .

The Reviews are a capital feature , and we hope will be increased in number , as they are all signed by brethren conspicuous for their knowledge of the books reviewed , e . g ., Bro . Mackenzie's History of No . 2 , Scotland , is by Bro . Hughan ; Bro . Johnston ' s History of the Falkirk Lodge is by Bro . Speth , as also Bro . Simpson ' s " Tower of Babel and the Birs Nimroud ; "

Bro . Whymper's Religion of Freemasonry is by Bro . Whytehead ; and Protessor Hayter Lewis ' s "Holy Places of Jerusalem " is by Bro . Simpson . Bro . Speth has also wriilen a short notice of Bro . Hughan ' s new

work—Pine ' s Facsimile of List of Lodges , 1734 , with Notes , & c , which he describes as " perfect , " and contributes several interesting notes , under the heading of Correspondence . An Index for the volume adds much to its value .

Freemasonry In San Francisco.

FREEMASONRY IN SAN FRANCISCO .

As some of your readers might perhaps like to know something of the ways and customs of Freemasons in the State of California , I venture to send you an account of my Masonic experiences since coming here a few months ago . Most persons who travel notice chiefly what is new , and what is different

to that which they are accustomed to see at home , and if my article is taken up mainly with the peculiarities ( as they seemed to me ) oi Caliiornian Masonry , I hope ii will not make anyone forget that the same great principles are inculcated . The same traditions and teachings prevail in both

countries , and whatever makes a man counted as a good Mason at home will get him the same recognition here . The rites , ceremonies , and customs vary a little , but not more than is wise , considering the different circumstances of the countries and the characters of the inhabitants .

An English Mason will find on visiting a lodge in America that his certificate is notol very much importance . In most jurisdictions its production is very properly insisted on , but his admission will depend chiefly upon the result of his examination , which is much more rigorous and minute than in

English lodges . The examination is conducted by a small Committee appointed for the purpose by the W . M ., and if it proves satisfactory , the candidate is pledged that he is entitled to be admitted and will observe Masonic rules .

American lodges meet much more frequently than English lodges . The usual monthly meetings are called " stated meetings , " and on these occasions the financial affairs of the lodge , requests for Charity , ballots for

candidates , and other routine business are attended to . Degrees are never conferred on these occasions , but at " called meetings , " which are usually summoned by advertisement . It is not customary to send notice of regular meetings ; members are supposed to keep these in mind .

Candidates for initiation have to apply by petition , vouched for by two members , with age , profession , and residence thereon . These petitions are referred to special Committees , the members of which make all necessary enquiries as to the character and fitness of the candidate , and report their opinion to the next " stated meeting , " unless , by resolution , further time is

given them lor enquiry . Upon receipt of the report , the members ballot lor the candidate , who is not elected if even one black ball appears against him . Every candidate is required to pay the initiation fee when sending in his petition , and in case of rejection , this is of course returned to him . The fee is usually in California fifty or seventy-five dollars ; in three lodges it is one hundred dollars .

A candidate may take his Second Degree the week after the First , and the Third Degree a week after the Second , and it is not until he is a Master Mason that he can attend a "stated meeting , " as on these occasions the