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Original Correspondence.
province , he should order his Secretary to make his wish known to the W . M . of thc lodge , who shall be requested to call a meeting of the Past Masters and Officers of his lodge , and decide amongst themselves by ballot , which of their brethren ( being eligible ) shall be recommended for preferment .
This mode of selection would enable the Provincial Grand Master to feel that it had given entire satisfaction ; whereas when left to the Provincial Grand Secretary , or other " wire pullers" the "kissing is likely to go by favour " and not by personal merit only , as is directed by the present constitutions .
The more this grievance is investigated the better , and I shall be glad to learn the feeling of others ( not being Provincial Grand Secretaries ) on the subject . I enclose my card , and remain , Yours fraternally , - SPECTEMUR AGENDO . Nov . 15 th , 1 SS 2 .
HOW STATISTICS ARE PUBLISHED . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — In your report of The Great City Lodge you , on page C 45 , give a speech by Bro . Duchery , who seems to have given the lodge the benefit of an oration on his own
account , as I do not find his name coupled with the toast , nor is his name given under the list of visitors . A good speech is always enjoyable , but it must be something near the mark as to accuracy ; a little rope is allowable , especially in an after-dinner oration . Thc topics Bro . Duchery touches upon seem quite foreign to the toast he appears to
be replying to— "The Visitors . " I presume , as a visitor , he did not so far ignore etiquette as to rise to propose a toast . Be this as it may , with all Masonic good will , I think Bro . Duchery will not object to his statistics being criticised . I hope he will not misinterpret my intentions and class me amongst the Masonic " grumblers " he talks
about . As to rotation system , I presume he means step by step to the chair . He , however , must not overlook the fact , the first ofiice is the test of merit , as a brother is , or at least should not be selected to fill one of the junior offices unless there are strong grounds to believe he will ultimately
reflect honour on the choice , and fill thc chair with credit to the lodge . AU members of the Order cannot hope to be Masters , but it would be strange if a brother anxious for office did not work himself into it within a reasonable time . I wish , however , particularly to point out the
extraordinary statistics he asserts he is able to prove true . He asserts there are 137 , 065 lodges in the world . 1 like the exactness which includes the odd sixty-five . In my comments I shall not presume to deal with a hundred or so , more or less . These 137 , 005 lodges have an annual income of 160
millions , which is dispersed as follows : Correspondence , Printing , Sic ... £ 52 , 000 , 000 Relief to Poor Masons and Families Gi , ooo , ooo Widows and Orphans 23 , 000 , 000 Poor Persons Outside Masonry y , ooo , ooo Schools , Asylums 17 , 000 , 000
Making a grand total of £ 162 , 000 , 000 or two millions above the actual amount subscribed . Considering thc exact way in which the units in the number of Lodges are quoted , this deficit is disappointing , and instead of making us proud of belonging to such a Society will ultimately involve it in such ruin , as it can only be on
the high road to destruction if it continues to spend two millions beyond its income . 1 am glad , however , to see the ' , Craft expends nothing from its revenues on festivities , jewels , & c , otherwise the two millions deficit will be multiplied considerably . According to my method of reckoning , this revenue of
160 millions represents an average income of about £ 1100 ( I shall not trouble about the odd seven or eight hundredthousand , this sum will pay the Auditors' fees ) per lodge . Now comes the question , how much this represents per member ? To take the worthy brother ' s preliminary remarks respecting rotation , there being 100 members before
them impeding their advancement , and limiting the number to 100 in each lodge , gives £ 11 subscription for each . To simplify calculations we will suppose the average to be £ 10 per member per annum ; this would represent sixteen millions of Masons as the muster roll . I do not
think it would average 2 s . per mason , 111 reality ; consequently , if Bro . Duchery ' s figures are correct , it would represent eighty millions of masons . Unfortunately , Bro . Duchery dees not give us the statistics as to numbers , but I think you will agree I have taken a very low average considering the figures before me . Now what are thc actual
figures ? In your leader , page 595 , you say England and Wales and dependencies , 140 , 000 . Say England and vValcs , 100 , 000 , at an average subscription of £ io— £ 1 , 000 , 000 . Our great charities income is under £ 50 , 000 ; leaves the handsome sum of £ 1150 , 000 for Grand Lodge dues . Surely with
these figures there will be no need for Bro . Clabon to urge increase of dues . Now I have always understood England to be the strongest in point of numbers . Wc must sink into the shade very considerably , as I find there arc under 2000 lodges on the register of the Grand Lodge of England ; this leaves , according to Bro . Duchery ' s figures , 135 , 005 lodges for the other portions of thc globe .
Original Correspondence.
Again refering to your statistics in page 595 , which , by the way , are admitted rather over than under the mark , as in France alone you have doubled the actual figures , as you admit on page 639 , one and a half millions covers the number of Masons in the entire universe ; who must subscribe , according to Bro . jDuchery ' s figures , about £ 100 per
annum to reach the total revenue he quotes . As to the number of lodges , I await with impatience the publication of the Grand Lodge Calendar , as the number of lodges must have made | rapid progress to reach 137 , 605—or about 1500 lodges for every country since last issue . England ' s vaunted progress must indeed be out-distanced . I
fear 1 have spun out my comments ; but I do it with one good object in view , viz .: to warn brethren from making such assertions without duly considering the bosh such statistics are when viewed before dinner . Such haphazard remarks may sound very imposing at the time , and would do no harm if not carried
outside the banqueting room . I have no doubt Bro . Duchery means well , and that his speech gave approval is evinced by the applause it received ; but as a Mason 1 am sure Bro . Duchery would prefer to sail under no false colours , and will not bear any ill feeling for the expose . I fully believe he has been mislead , and , in thc excitement of the moment ,
spread the report broadcast without duly considering the probabilities . It is strange , however , such well-known Masons as the members of the Great City Lodge allowed it to go unchallenged . What must the Treasurer ' s feelings have been when he compared the lodge's income with that of those lodges making up the total 160 millions ? No
doubt he felt Bro . Duchery s congratulations " as to thc noble share they took in such undertaking " rather empty compliments . With regret at having lo awaken Bro . Duchery from his golden dream , I remain , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , DICK RADCLYFFE .
DONATIONS TO THE CHARITIES . To the Editor ofthe " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — In the report in your issue of thc iSth inst . of the proceedings at thc Earl of Carnarvon Lodge , No . 1462 , Bro . Mason , " who had kindly corneas a substitute for
Bro . Terry , " is stated to have said that " He thought that the three Institutions ought to bless thc day that the Earl of Carnarvon Lodge was founded , and was constituted of such members . When they had given the fifty guineas , as had been proposed , they would be a beacon to all the land , because it would bo the first lodge in the country that
had voted fifty guineas a piece to the three Masonic Charities . " If this be true , " 'tis pity ; and pity 'tis 'tis true . " But what a relief it will be to our feelings if the statement is shown to be of doubtful accuracy . I am Treasurer of a lodge whicii has subscribed as follows , viz .: —1874 ,
Benevolent Institution , £ 50 ; 1 S 7 O , Girls' School , £ 52 ios . ; 1 S 77 , Boys' School , £ 52 ios . ; 1 S 79 , Benevolent Institution , £ 52 ios . ; 1 SS 0 , Girls'School , £ 265 s . ; 1 SS 1 , Boys' School , £ 26 5 s . ; 1 SS 2 , Benevolent Institution , £ 20 5 s . I shall only whisper the name of the lodge , Bro . Editor , Ior your private ear , having painfully in mind how it
has been scoffed at by wanderers , not only for setting up a beacon , but for exhibiting only the glimmering light that was burning under its bushel , and lest it be again reviled with publishing its virtues from the housetops . All honour , I say , to the Earl of Carnarvon Lodge ; " may it flourish for ever—root and branch . " But I would urge the
brethren , in all sincerity and brotherly love , to take warning , and to be careful of kindling the beacon ( ire to illumine the path of the forlorn and shipwrecked in such a manner that they themselves may be scorched and tormented . The question naturally forces itself upon one's
mind—What are all the other lodges on the grand register doing ? If each one of them were only to send ten guineas a year to thc Masonic Institutions—and they could if they would —what a consummation it would be to all our aspirations . Yours fraternally , P . M . and H . 22 nd November .
[ Our correspondent is referred lo Bro . Mason s letter below . —Eu . F . M . " ] To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I am sorry to take up yuur valuable space , but the report of the installation meeting of the Earl of Carnavon Lodge , 1642 , which appeared in your last issue , is so utterly absurd , that had it not been for the fact of an
explanation being required from me by members of other lodges , I should not have troubled you with this explanation . The report says that I stated , that if the lodge gave the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution fifty guineas , as promised , they would have given fifty guineas to each of thc
Charities , and thus be a beacon to all thc land . Now , Sir , nothing could be much wider of the mark as to what I did say , even if thc reporter had been a non-Mason , and had made up the report without any noles . What 1 did say upon this ipoint was , that the fifty guineas
would complete thc amount necessary to make themselves Vice-Presidents of our institution , and being already Vice-Presidents of the Girls' and Boys' Schools , together with thc fact of the very large lists they had sent up upon each occasion , wasjthe largest amount sent up by any lodge of
Original Correspondence.
the same age—the Earl of Carnavon Lodge only having been consecrated six years . But , sir , the very youngest member of our fraternity , who has ever heard of the charities , know that it takes 100 guineas to each to -qualify as V . P ., and not fifty as stated in your report ; and as several members of other
very liberal lodges may justly feel aggrieved if the facts are not properly stated , I now append , not only for Iheir information , but also that of your reporter's , a short statement of what the Earl of Carnarvon Lodge has done in the six years . They have given 100 guineas to each Institution in the name of the lodge ; and have already
brought in the magnificent sum of £ 084 to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for Boys ; £ 600 to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution ; £ 576 to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for Girls ; thus making a total of ^ 1 SO 0 ., I therefore trust you will kindly insert this in order that
the lodge may have the credit due , and that others may not feel themselves hurt by a report which represents me to have said , that with 150 guineas this lodge had done more than any other lodge . Yours truly and fraternally , J . MASON , P . P . G . S . D . Middx . Collector of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution .
FRENCH MASONIC TERMINOLOGY . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Amongst your Notes and Queries in the Freemason of iSth inst ., under the above heading , I find a copious note by " Masonic Student . " As is usual with all our
worthy brother ' s communications , he supplies us in this case also with much curious information and matter for thought . He , however , adds , "I believe I am the first person who has ever given this explanation , " which explanation evidently refers to the foregoing " dicta , " that "Lewis , " in English , and "Louveteau , " in French , arc both
equally indigenous technical terms ; and further , that far from " Louveteau " being derived from " Lewis , " the exact converse is probably the true state of thc case . I will gladly grant all this , but I am unable at present lo agree with " Masonic Student " that he is the first to offer the explanation . Bro . Gould does more than " allude " to
this subject . On page 243 of his " admirable work" ( I cordially re-echo " Masonic-Student's" description ) , he goes into it very fully . He first informs us what the instrument is which is technically called a " Lewis ; " he next gives us the reason why a Mason ' s son is termed a " Lewis ; " he then explains that this same instrument in French is
a " Louve , " and certain parts of it are " Louveteaux . " Hc continues by stating thata " Companion " is a "Loup " and his son a " Louveteau , " proving thc analogy complete , both technically and Masonically ; and he concludes by suggesting in a footnote that " Lewis " is derived from
"Louve . " Surely Bro . Gould ' s claim to priority is good , and Bro . "Masonic Student ' s" is weak ; unless , indeed , Bro . " Masonic Student " can point to a former publication on his side .
I am , dear Sir , yours fraternally , GEO . R . POOLE . NEPTUNE LODGE , No . 1264—BENEVOLENT FUND . To thc Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Referring to the report of the above lodge , I notice in your last issue a letter from Bro . Hart , P . M . and Treasurer of the Lodge of Israel , No . 1502 , in which he takes
exception to our claim that we , of the Neptune Lodge , arc really the originators of the purely voluntary system in connection with Benevolent Funds in the province . While cordially recognising the authority with which Bro . Hart speaks on this subject , I should like to draw his attention to the rules of the fund of his own lodge . Rule 2
states : " That this Fund shall be supported by deducting five shillings from the annual subscriptions of each member of thc Lodge of Israel , six shillings from each initiation , also by occasional grants from the said lodge , and by donations and bequests . " Thus it will be seen that Bro . Hart is in error in
claiming that they are the originators of the voluntary system ; for so long as money is deducted from Ihe subscriptions and initiations it cannot be called voluntary , and is entirely different to the principle on which our fund is founded . Thanking you for your kindness in inserting onr report , and apologising for again troubling you upon such a small matter , I am , yours fraternally ,
SAMUEL FRASER , Hon . Sec , pro tern ., Neptune Benevolent Fund , 39 , Mount Pleasant , Liverpool , 22 nd November .
IRUSSBS , liLAs-rii :. ll . ixuAciis , Ji-ir . —SBKIEY ' S II . IHU KUIIIIEK IIII ; KSI-S . — 1 lie world ' s recognition of unci'uallcd excellence , Keccving the only award of merit granted for trusses at the late international Medical Exhibition , 1 S 81 . Made in every desirable and latest improved pattern , line steel springs , neatly covered with highly-polished hard rubber , light , cool , cleanly ; unall ' ected by time , use , or climate . Free from all sour , rustv , dialing ,
orslrappmg unpleasantness . Used in bathing . Always reliable . 'Die correct and skilful mechanical treatment of hernia or rupture a specialty . Under patronage of the world ' s most distinguished surgeons . Choice assortment of elastic surgical hosicrv Uelts improved suspensory bandages , shoulder braces . Establishments 7 ? , ' M' 'i"Y } f \> li . C , and 1347 , Chestnut-street , Philadelphia , U . S . A . —IAuvr . 1
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Original Correspondence.
province , he should order his Secretary to make his wish known to the W . M . of thc lodge , who shall be requested to call a meeting of the Past Masters and Officers of his lodge , and decide amongst themselves by ballot , which of their brethren ( being eligible ) shall be recommended for preferment .
This mode of selection would enable the Provincial Grand Master to feel that it had given entire satisfaction ; whereas when left to the Provincial Grand Secretary , or other " wire pullers" the "kissing is likely to go by favour " and not by personal merit only , as is directed by the present constitutions .
The more this grievance is investigated the better , and I shall be glad to learn the feeling of others ( not being Provincial Grand Secretaries ) on the subject . I enclose my card , and remain , Yours fraternally , - SPECTEMUR AGENDO . Nov . 15 th , 1 SS 2 .
HOW STATISTICS ARE PUBLISHED . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — In your report of The Great City Lodge you , on page C 45 , give a speech by Bro . Duchery , who seems to have given the lodge the benefit of an oration on his own
account , as I do not find his name coupled with the toast , nor is his name given under the list of visitors . A good speech is always enjoyable , but it must be something near the mark as to accuracy ; a little rope is allowable , especially in an after-dinner oration . Thc topics Bro . Duchery touches upon seem quite foreign to the toast he appears to
be replying to— "The Visitors . " I presume , as a visitor , he did not so far ignore etiquette as to rise to propose a toast . Be this as it may , with all Masonic good will , I think Bro . Duchery will not object to his statistics being criticised . I hope he will not misinterpret my intentions and class me amongst the Masonic " grumblers " he talks
about . As to rotation system , I presume he means step by step to the chair . He , however , must not overlook the fact , the first ofiice is the test of merit , as a brother is , or at least should not be selected to fill one of the junior offices unless there are strong grounds to believe he will ultimately
reflect honour on the choice , and fill thc chair with credit to the lodge . AU members of the Order cannot hope to be Masters , but it would be strange if a brother anxious for office did not work himself into it within a reasonable time . I wish , however , particularly to point out the
extraordinary statistics he asserts he is able to prove true . He asserts there are 137 , 065 lodges in the world . 1 like the exactness which includes the odd sixty-five . In my comments I shall not presume to deal with a hundred or so , more or less . These 137 , 005 lodges have an annual income of 160
millions , which is dispersed as follows : Correspondence , Printing , Sic ... £ 52 , 000 , 000 Relief to Poor Masons and Families Gi , ooo , ooo Widows and Orphans 23 , 000 , 000 Poor Persons Outside Masonry y , ooo , ooo Schools , Asylums 17 , 000 , 000
Making a grand total of £ 162 , 000 , 000 or two millions above the actual amount subscribed . Considering thc exact way in which the units in the number of Lodges are quoted , this deficit is disappointing , and instead of making us proud of belonging to such a Society will ultimately involve it in such ruin , as it can only be on
the high road to destruction if it continues to spend two millions beyond its income . 1 am glad , however , to see the ' , Craft expends nothing from its revenues on festivities , jewels , & c , otherwise the two millions deficit will be multiplied considerably . According to my method of reckoning , this revenue of
160 millions represents an average income of about £ 1100 ( I shall not trouble about the odd seven or eight hundredthousand , this sum will pay the Auditors' fees ) per lodge . Now comes the question , how much this represents per member ? To take the worthy brother ' s preliminary remarks respecting rotation , there being 100 members before
them impeding their advancement , and limiting the number to 100 in each lodge , gives £ 11 subscription for each . To simplify calculations we will suppose the average to be £ 10 per member per annum ; this would represent sixteen millions of Masons as the muster roll . I do not
think it would average 2 s . per mason , 111 reality ; consequently , if Bro . Duchery ' s figures are correct , it would represent eighty millions of masons . Unfortunately , Bro . Duchery dees not give us the statistics as to numbers , but I think you will agree I have taken a very low average considering the figures before me . Now what are thc actual
figures ? In your leader , page 595 , you say England and Wales and dependencies , 140 , 000 . Say England and vValcs , 100 , 000 , at an average subscription of £ io— £ 1 , 000 , 000 . Our great charities income is under £ 50 , 000 ; leaves the handsome sum of £ 1150 , 000 for Grand Lodge dues . Surely with
these figures there will be no need for Bro . Clabon to urge increase of dues . Now I have always understood England to be the strongest in point of numbers . Wc must sink into the shade very considerably , as I find there arc under 2000 lodges on the register of the Grand Lodge of England ; this leaves , according to Bro . Duchery ' s figures , 135 , 005 lodges for the other portions of thc globe .
Original Correspondence.
Again refering to your statistics in page 595 , which , by the way , are admitted rather over than under the mark , as in France alone you have doubled the actual figures , as you admit on page 639 , one and a half millions covers the number of Masons in the entire universe ; who must subscribe , according to Bro . jDuchery ' s figures , about £ 100 per
annum to reach the total revenue he quotes . As to the number of lodges , I await with impatience the publication of the Grand Lodge Calendar , as the number of lodges must have made | rapid progress to reach 137 , 605—or about 1500 lodges for every country since last issue . England ' s vaunted progress must indeed be out-distanced . I
fear 1 have spun out my comments ; but I do it with one good object in view , viz .: to warn brethren from making such assertions without duly considering the bosh such statistics are when viewed before dinner . Such haphazard remarks may sound very imposing at the time , and would do no harm if not carried
outside the banqueting room . I have no doubt Bro . Duchery means well , and that his speech gave approval is evinced by the applause it received ; but as a Mason 1 am sure Bro . Duchery would prefer to sail under no false colours , and will not bear any ill feeling for the expose . I fully believe he has been mislead , and , in thc excitement of the moment ,
spread the report broadcast without duly considering the probabilities . It is strange , however , such well-known Masons as the members of the Great City Lodge allowed it to go unchallenged . What must the Treasurer ' s feelings have been when he compared the lodge's income with that of those lodges making up the total 160 millions ? No
doubt he felt Bro . Duchery s congratulations " as to thc noble share they took in such undertaking " rather empty compliments . With regret at having lo awaken Bro . Duchery from his golden dream , I remain , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , DICK RADCLYFFE .
DONATIONS TO THE CHARITIES . To the Editor ofthe " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — In the report in your issue of thc iSth inst . of the proceedings at thc Earl of Carnarvon Lodge , No . 1462 , Bro . Mason , " who had kindly corneas a substitute for
Bro . Terry , " is stated to have said that " He thought that the three Institutions ought to bless thc day that the Earl of Carnarvon Lodge was founded , and was constituted of such members . When they had given the fifty guineas , as had been proposed , they would be a beacon to all the land , because it would bo the first lodge in the country that
had voted fifty guineas a piece to the three Masonic Charities . " If this be true , " 'tis pity ; and pity 'tis 'tis true . " But what a relief it will be to our feelings if the statement is shown to be of doubtful accuracy . I am Treasurer of a lodge whicii has subscribed as follows , viz .: —1874 ,
Benevolent Institution , £ 50 ; 1 S 7 O , Girls' School , £ 52 ios . ; 1 S 77 , Boys' School , £ 52 ios . ; 1 S 79 , Benevolent Institution , £ 52 ios . ; 1 SS 0 , Girls'School , £ 265 s . ; 1 SS 1 , Boys' School , £ 26 5 s . ; 1 SS 2 , Benevolent Institution , £ 20 5 s . I shall only whisper the name of the lodge , Bro . Editor , Ior your private ear , having painfully in mind how it
has been scoffed at by wanderers , not only for setting up a beacon , but for exhibiting only the glimmering light that was burning under its bushel , and lest it be again reviled with publishing its virtues from the housetops . All honour , I say , to the Earl of Carnarvon Lodge ; " may it flourish for ever—root and branch . " But I would urge the
brethren , in all sincerity and brotherly love , to take warning , and to be careful of kindling the beacon ( ire to illumine the path of the forlorn and shipwrecked in such a manner that they themselves may be scorched and tormented . The question naturally forces itself upon one's
mind—What are all the other lodges on the grand register doing ? If each one of them were only to send ten guineas a year to thc Masonic Institutions—and they could if they would —what a consummation it would be to all our aspirations . Yours fraternally , P . M . and H . 22 nd November .
[ Our correspondent is referred lo Bro . Mason s letter below . —Eu . F . M . " ] To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I am sorry to take up yuur valuable space , but the report of the installation meeting of the Earl of Carnavon Lodge , 1642 , which appeared in your last issue , is so utterly absurd , that had it not been for the fact of an
explanation being required from me by members of other lodges , I should not have troubled you with this explanation . The report says that I stated , that if the lodge gave the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution fifty guineas , as promised , they would have given fifty guineas to each of thc
Charities , and thus be a beacon to all thc land . Now , Sir , nothing could be much wider of the mark as to what I did say , even if thc reporter had been a non-Mason , and had made up the report without any noles . What 1 did say upon this ipoint was , that the fifty guineas
would complete thc amount necessary to make themselves Vice-Presidents of our institution , and being already Vice-Presidents of the Girls' and Boys' Schools , together with thc fact of the very large lists they had sent up upon each occasion , wasjthe largest amount sent up by any lodge of
Original Correspondence.
the same age—the Earl of Carnavon Lodge only having been consecrated six years . But , sir , the very youngest member of our fraternity , who has ever heard of the charities , know that it takes 100 guineas to each to -qualify as V . P ., and not fifty as stated in your report ; and as several members of other
very liberal lodges may justly feel aggrieved if the facts are not properly stated , I now append , not only for Iheir information , but also that of your reporter's , a short statement of what the Earl of Carnarvon Lodge has done in the six years . They have given 100 guineas to each Institution in the name of the lodge ; and have already
brought in the magnificent sum of £ 084 to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for Boys ; £ 600 to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution ; £ 576 to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for Girls ; thus making a total of ^ 1 SO 0 ., I therefore trust you will kindly insert this in order that
the lodge may have the credit due , and that others may not feel themselves hurt by a report which represents me to have said , that with 150 guineas this lodge had done more than any other lodge . Yours truly and fraternally , J . MASON , P . P . G . S . D . Middx . Collector of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution .
FRENCH MASONIC TERMINOLOGY . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Amongst your Notes and Queries in the Freemason of iSth inst ., under the above heading , I find a copious note by " Masonic Student . " As is usual with all our
worthy brother ' s communications , he supplies us in this case also with much curious information and matter for thought . He , however , adds , "I believe I am the first person who has ever given this explanation , " which explanation evidently refers to the foregoing " dicta , " that "Lewis , " in English , and "Louveteau , " in French , arc both
equally indigenous technical terms ; and further , that far from " Louveteau " being derived from " Lewis , " the exact converse is probably the true state of thc case . I will gladly grant all this , but I am unable at present lo agree with " Masonic Student " that he is the first to offer the explanation . Bro . Gould does more than " allude " to
this subject . On page 243 of his " admirable work" ( I cordially re-echo " Masonic-Student's" description ) , he goes into it very fully . He first informs us what the instrument is which is technically called a " Lewis ; " he next gives us the reason why a Mason ' s son is termed a " Lewis ; " he then explains that this same instrument in French is
a " Louve , " and certain parts of it are " Louveteaux . " Hc continues by stating thata " Companion " is a "Loup " and his son a " Louveteau , " proving thc analogy complete , both technically and Masonically ; and he concludes by suggesting in a footnote that " Lewis " is derived from
"Louve . " Surely Bro . Gould ' s claim to priority is good , and Bro . "Masonic Student ' s" is weak ; unless , indeed , Bro . " Masonic Student " can point to a former publication on his side .
I am , dear Sir , yours fraternally , GEO . R . POOLE . NEPTUNE LODGE , No . 1264—BENEVOLENT FUND . To thc Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Referring to the report of the above lodge , I notice in your last issue a letter from Bro . Hart , P . M . and Treasurer of the Lodge of Israel , No . 1502 , in which he takes
exception to our claim that we , of the Neptune Lodge , arc really the originators of the purely voluntary system in connection with Benevolent Funds in the province . While cordially recognising the authority with which Bro . Hart speaks on this subject , I should like to draw his attention to the rules of the fund of his own lodge . Rule 2
states : " That this Fund shall be supported by deducting five shillings from the annual subscriptions of each member of thc Lodge of Israel , six shillings from each initiation , also by occasional grants from the said lodge , and by donations and bequests . " Thus it will be seen that Bro . Hart is in error in
claiming that they are the originators of the voluntary system ; for so long as money is deducted from Ihe subscriptions and initiations it cannot be called voluntary , and is entirely different to the principle on which our fund is founded . Thanking you for your kindness in inserting onr report , and apologising for again troubling you upon such a small matter , I am , yours fraternally ,
SAMUEL FRASER , Hon . Sec , pro tern ., Neptune Benevolent Fund , 39 , Mount Pleasant , Liverpool , 22 nd November .
IRUSSBS , liLAs-rii :. ll . ixuAciis , Ji-ir . —SBKIEY ' S II . IHU KUIIIIEK IIII ; KSI-S . — 1 lie world ' s recognition of unci'uallcd excellence , Keccving the only award of merit granted for trusses at the late international Medical Exhibition , 1 S 81 . Made in every desirable and latest improved pattern , line steel springs , neatly covered with highly-polished hard rubber , light , cool , cleanly ; unall ' ected by time , use , or climate . Free from all sour , rustv , dialing ,
orslrappmg unpleasantness . Used in bathing . Always reliable . 'Die correct and skilful mechanical treatment of hernia or rupture a specialty . Under patronage of the world ' s most distinguished surgeons . Choice assortment of elastic surgical hosicrv Uelts improved suspensory bandages , shoulder braces . Establishments 7 ? , ' M' 'i"Y } f \> li . C , and 1347 , Chestnut-street , Philadelphia , U . S . A . —IAuvr . 1