Masonic Notes.

candidates for membership . The United Northern Counties , the Cornish , and other kindred lodges in the Metropolis have been most successful , and it will be the fault of the new lodge itself , if , after starting so brilliantly , it should ever be found in a precarious condition .

# # * At the recent annual convocation of the Provincial Grand Chapter of Lincolnshire , the Grand Superintendent—Comp . W . Harling Sissons—gave ; it as his opinion that the shortening of the ' qualifying period between the Master Mason ' s Degree and the Royal Arch

Degiee from a year to one month was not calculated to promote the true interests of Royal Arch Masonry . He considered the interval too short for becoming acquainted with the qualifications of a brother . yl Many men , " he pointed out , "mig ht be excellent citizens of the world , high-principled , conscientious , and worthy ;

at the same time they might have defects of temper or temperament which rendered them what , for want of a better word , he would call not clubbable men , and which caused them afterwards to be a cause of weakness and not of strength to the Order . " He considered the better plan would have been to reduce the minimum fee as fixed by Supreme Grand Chapter . "

* * * Doubtless , many companions will be found in agreement with Comp . Sissons , who , from the distinguished position he holds in Royal Arch Masonry , is not likely to speak hastily or intemperately of any changes that may be made in the Royal Arch Regulations . Indeed ,

at the time the proposal for reducing the qualifying period was under consideration , there were several who suggested that the period , should be shortened , not to one month , but to three . But if , as the Book of Constitutions tells us , " the Supreme Order of the Holy

Royal Arch " is included in our system of '' pure Antient Masonry , " as defined by the Act of Union of December , 1813 , every reasonable facility should be offered to the new Mason to become acquainted with the whole o f that system .

* There is unquestionably great force in the objection which many hold that the one month ' s interval , not only between the Third Degree and the Royal Arch , but likewise between the First and Second and the Second and Third , is too short to permit of a new

brother acquiring more than a very superficial knowledge of " pure Antient Masonry , " hut as regards Comp . Sissons ' s objection to the present qualifying period for admission to the Royal Arch , we take the liberty of pointing out that it is too late to think of the temper

and temperament of one who has already been admitted to the Craft Degrees . Any harm that may result from the acceptance of such a member has been done already . Every such objection should be raised before the man is initiated , not held over till he is on the point of being '' Arched . "

Correspondence.

Correspondence .

CANVASSING FOR OFFICE . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Permit me , through your columns , to utter a feeble protest against the aggressive canvassing for the office of Grand Treasurer , which setms coming into

fashion . No one can object to a circular cr two requesting the favour of his vote and influence , but when this degenerates into pestering for replies to undesircd correspondence the nuisance is intolerable . Here is my persona ! experience : I happen ( for a Masonic penance ) to be Secretary of a Iodge . I am applied to

for my vote on behalf of a southern provincial brother for the office of Grand Treasurer . I have promised that vote to another candidate . Then I receive a circular asking for the names and addresses of all brethren holding Grand Ledge votes in my lodge . This follows me during a round of shooting visits and

naturally meets with scant attention ; for I do not carry the lodge books in my cartridge magazine . Now comes another circular drawing my attention to the former , and requesting a reply at my earliest convenience . This is signed by . 1 brother with the addition " per G . S . " f submit to you , sir , that here is a

misleading signature ; for G . S . amongst us stands for Grand Secretary . We know that a widow of early times prevailed because of her importunity , but that is no hereditary qualification for a widow's son .

It is my personal opinion that all this canv .-issing degrades the candidate , and in detrimental to the best interests of the Craft . But I should like to hear any expression of sentiment favourable to the opposite point pf view . —Yours fraternally . S . G . KIRCHHOFFER , P . Dep . G . D . C .

Reviews.

Reviews .

THE MASONS' COMPANY . —The advent of this important work has been eagerly expected for some little time , and now that it is published , subsciibers will be very delighted with their treasure . All that Bro . Conder promised in a circular announcing its preparation has been more than fulfilled , for in the 300 pages and more within the covers of this massive volume , will be found " a

history of the rise and progress of the art or mistery of Masonry from early times , together with notes on the architectural developments of various periods , and copious extracts from the books of the Masons' Company , never before published in any form , as well as much information respecting the Craft gathered from official sources . " Bro . Edward Conder , jun ., the author of this invaluable work is

Master of the Company for this \ ear , and was the Upper Warden during the time that was chiefly devoted to the writing of this history , so that he has had full access to all the documents preserved by the Masons' Company , and being so much esteemed by prominent Craftsmen and archicologists he has been able to command the best advice on the general subject of Guilds , the eventful

past of Freemasonry , and matters heraldic , in addition to the varied information he himself has traced on all points connected with , the operative and speculative sections o f the Craft . He has been a diligent and most successful student of our mysteries , and has well eained the honour of election as a full member of the " Quatuor Coronati " Lodge , London ; the brethren of that distinguished body

being doubtless proud of their youngest and much esteemed member . Bro . Conder's claim that he was able to prove from the records , what has hitherto only been suspected by some , and doubted by many , that there actually existed early in the seventeenth century a ledge of Freemasons attached to , and working in harmony with , the Company , and holding its meetings in the Masons' Hall , has been

abundantly confirmed . Although the actual Records of the Company are lest prior to early in the 17 th century there is no lack of material as to its history long before that period , beginning with its original grant cf arms in 1472 , which , happily , is still preserved , being one of the earliest of the kind j the Drapers being iirst in 1439 . The old motto was " God is ovr Guide , " the latter one , " In the Lord isall our

trust ( sooften met with ) , never being traced prior to 1600 . According to Bro . Conder ' s researches , the correct drawing of the Masons' Arms , has , until 1 S 71 ( when the original grant was discovered ) , been lost to view , and quite a different coat has been used and described , " varying according to the taste of the herald or engraver , " but never altered to the extent of making the

arms unrecognisable as those of the Company . The first part deals with early Masonry from almost prehistcric times to its introduction into Britain under Cladius , A . D . 43 , the Gilds and Livery Companies of London being duly described and considered . The second portion is devoted to the Fellowship of Masons in the City of London , and the third ( the really valuable division from a

Freemasonic point of view ) concerns the existing records of the company , 1619-1 S 94 . Of the latter we shall have much to say , but not now . The volume is to be had for a guinea from the publishers , Swan , Sonneuschem and Co ., or through ourselves , the edition being limited , and therefore in all fairness the work should be allowed to speak for itself to those who obtain copies and read it for themselves .

Naturally the extraordinary evidence as to the existence of a speculative lodge , under the wing of the company in 1 G 20 and later , will be most eagerly perused . This was thelodge Ashmole visited in 16 S 2 , and until the discovery of these entries , his initiation of 164 G was the earliest known record of an Knglish lodge admitting non-Masons . The company

used the prefix 1 ' rce until 16 55 , when they were called Masons only , the speculative section being termed Accepted . Masons . As to these and numerous interesting matters of great significance we refer our readers to the work , which is lavishly illustrated , ably wiitten , and well got up , being a credit to author and publisher , and the most important volume ot the kind ever issued .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

[ MFOI ^ g ^^^ g . STOP ^ MHJ ? fitjM 3 &

EMETROPOLITAN MEETINGS . Lion and Lamb Lodge ( No . 192 ) . —A meeting of this lodge was held on the 4 th inst . at the Cannonstieet Hotel , when there were present Bros . James Smith , W . M . ; T . W . Fisher , S . W . ; R . Sarson , J . W . j Rev . 1 . Selby Henrey , Chap . ; Thos , Cohu , P . M ., Treas . ; Henry Legge , P . M ., Sec . ; A . I . Holmes , S . D . ; Charles Garten ,

J . D . j J . M . Mower , P . M ., D . C ; Geo . Miner , l . G . ; William Baker , Stwd . ; C . Couchman , Tyler ; Frederick Hughes , I . P . M . ; George Goodes , P . M . ; Martyn , Lendon , lievan , Stokes , Clarke , Dart , Johnson , and Chatterton . Bro . Galey , 170 G , was a visitor . The ledge was opened in due form , and the minutes of the last meeting read and confirmed , after which Bro .

Edwin Grove Johnson was raised to the Third Degree , the able manner in which the W . M . performed the ceremony eliciting well deserved praise from all present . Mr . Ilouldtr was balloted for , and the same being unanimous , he will be initiated at the next meeting . The lodge was then resumed in the First Degree , three gentlemen being proposed as candidates for initiation , and Bro . Goddard , 917 , as a

joining member , after which the lodge was closed . The brethren then adjourned to supper , the usual loyal and Masonic toasts being given , interspersed by some capital vocal and instrumental music kindly provided by Bro . Cohu ' s three daughters , and songs by Bros . Smith , Miner , and Galey . The Tyler ' s toast brought a most enjoyable evening to a close .

Craft Masonry.

Kingslaild Lodge ( No . 1693 ) . —Anniversaries of any kind are always looked forward to with keen interest , and Freemasons are to be considered enthusiasts in this respect , as installation night is generally productive of a real Masonic intellectual treat , and the Kingsland Lodge proved no exception to the rule in this respect on their anniversary , which was celebrated on Tuesday evening , the 2 nd inst ., at the Railway Hotel , Highbury Station ,

N ., Bro . L . Simon , the W . M ., being well supported by Bros . J . Potter , S . W ., W . M . elect ; A . W . Cooper , J . W . ; J . Cooper , P . M ., Treas . ; A . W . Jenner , P . M ., Sec ; S . Robson , S . D . ; J . S . Anthony , J . D . ; A . White , l . G . ; VV . Windsor , Org . ; G . Cook , D . C ; J . G . Harrington , A . D . C . ; E . Dimes and W . H . Drury , Stwds . ; H . Hall , P . M . ; W . T . H . Mayer , P . M . ; H , J . Hazel , P . M . ; A . J . Porter , R . Edwyn Clarke , L ,

Cully , VV . J . Robinson , J . K . Clarke , J . VV . Doubthre , A . Wright , VV . E . Windsor , W . E . Manning , J . B . Harper , T . Bettesworth , W . C . Lewis , H . Moore , H . Green , C . W . Potter , T . H . Nye , H . F . Bangs , G . R . Dix , and others . There was a fair number of visitors , amongst whom we may mention Bros . J . Osborn , P . M . 1602 , P . P . G . Std . Br . Middx . ; T . Glass , W . M . S 60 , P . P . G . Std . Br . Jersey ; A . H . Hickman , P . M . 22 S ; T . G . Hodges , P . M . 1 C 95 ; G .

Kubardt , P . M . 501 ; W . J . 'Gardner , P . M . iSSj F . Partington , P . M . 12 SS ; J . G . James , W . M . 795 , P . G . S . Berks ; R . M . H . Griffith , W . M . 1 G 77 ; R . Gillard , W . M . 901 ; W . Beckett , 1602 ; J . Rawl , 519 ; H . Hedges , ¦ 539 , E . Cattermole , 217 ; G . F . Edwards , 761 ; C . G . Baker , 130 C ; and E . James , 2374 . The lodge was opened , and the minutes of the previous meeting having been read , were duly confirmed . Two

candidates were balloted for which proved unanimous , their initiation being postponed ( by their desire ) until next meeting . The Auditors' report was received and adopted . Bro . Cooper , P . M ., as acting D . C , presented Bro . John Potter , for installation , and that brother was impressively installed in the chair of K . S . by Bro . L . Simon . After the new W . M . had received the congratulations of the Installing Masters , the brethren were admitted , who saluted the new

W . M . in the usual manner . Bro . Potter then appointed and invested the officers of the Iodge as follows : Bros . L . Simon , I . P . M . ; A . W . Cooper , S . W . ; S . Robson , J . W . ; James Cooper , P . M ., Treas . ; A . W . Fenner , P . M ., Sec ; J . S . Anthony , S . D . ; Arthur White , J . D . ; G . Cook , l . G . ; W . Windsor , Org . ; J . G . Harrington , D . C . ; E . Dimes , A . D . C . ; VV . II . Drury , Stwd . ; and C . Shepperd , Tyler ; after which Bro . Simon gave the final addresses in a very

excellent manner , which elicited the praise of all those present . Other routine Masonic business having been transacted , the visiting brethren tendered their " Hearty good wishes , " after which the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to banquet , which was served in Messrs . Baker Bros , usual perfect manner , with many thanks to Bro . Tuck , the efficient manager of the ancient hostelry ,

for the attention he bestowed upon the brethren present . The banquet having had full justice done it , the Grace from " The Laudi Spiritual ! , 15 S 5 , " was sung with great effect by Miss Jennie Higgs , K . A . M ., Miss E . Meyer , G . S . M ., Mr . H . ' Keefe , and Bro . R . Edwyn Uarke , after which the W . M . proposed the usual loyal and Masonic toasts in a very telling manner , and they were heartily received , Bro . Windsor singing the solo of the National

Anthem . Bro . L . Simon then assumed the gavel , and , in proposing "The Health of the W . M ., " congratulated the brethren on having a brother of such high Masonic character to preside over them . It was his good fortune to have the pleasure of installing him , and he was sure that Bro . Potter would discharge his duties honourably , and that he would leave the chair when the time came with as great distinction

as any of his predecessors ; and he hoped that a successful year of office would reward him for the care and attention he had given to the Craft since his iniiiation . He was also sure the brethren would acknowledge their W . M . to be one for whom they would exert themselves , toj the utmost to support during his year of office . The toast was most cordially received . In responding to the toast , the W . M . thanked Bro . Simon

for the flattering manner he had proposed his health . He knew he did not deserve half the good things said of him . Me informed the brethren that he would not make a long speech , but assured them he would endeavour to discharge his duties to the satisfaction of all , his great aim being to obtain the esteem of every brother of the lodge when the time came for him to leave the proud position he was placed in that evening , and concluded by warmly thanking the

brethren for their hearty reception of the toast . The toast of " the Visitors" followed , which was given by Bro . J . Cooper , P . M . and Treas . ( by the wish of the VV . M . ) , in a very admirable manner . He assured them always of a heatty welcome , and was gratified at such a good muster of visitors . He hoped to see them again on other occasions , as it was b y brethren visiting other lodges that they often formed life-long friendships . He called

upon Bros . Gillard , VV . M . ; Hodges , P . M . ; James , W . M . ; and 1 ' . Glass , VV . M ., to respond to the'toast . _ j 1 he toast was received with true Masanic honour . In response , Bro . GilUrd thanked them for the invitation to visitors , and remarked that he believed his brother visitors were more than pleased at the excellent working in the lodge . He congratulated the W . M . in presiding over such an efficient staff of officers as the lodge possessed , and

wished him all the success he deseiveu . Bro . James observed there was truth in what Bro . Gillard had said in reference to the elliciency of every officer of the Kingsland Lodge , and that North London o ght to be proud of Bro . Potter , who was a neighbour , brother , and friend to all . He thanked them for the kindly reception given him in tnc lodge , as also for the good cheer of the banquet table .

Bro . Glass , although he fully shared in the sentiments expressed by previous brother visitors , yet he felt that he was a deceived man . The W . M . had said something about his timidity and imperfections , which made him ( Iiro . Glass ) feel rather nervous as to the results , but he was proud to see that the VV . M . had not shown the least sign of timidity , which was very gratifying to know . He spoke as an old

tiiond uf the W . M ., and heartily wished him a successful year ot office . Bro . Hodges , in thanking the W . M , and brethren for the honour done the visitors , said that was his Iirst visit to the lodge , and trom what he had seen of the working , confirmed the good opinion he had of the lodge , and wished the W . M . success .