Correspondence.

Correspondence .

Wc tin not Iiokl nnisflvc . s responsible for tlic opinions expressed by our correspondents but wc wish , in a spirit uf fair play to ail , to permit—within certain necessary limitsfree dibCUsVion ,

A SCREW LOOSE SOMEWHERE . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , ' Can you enlighten me on the following cjuestion : On arrival one evening at a lodge of instruction , I found everything ready for opening thc lodge , but no one in attendance . The doors were open , and a stranger near by .

Will you tell me whether means ought or ought not to be taken to prevent strangers intruding when the lodge of instruction is ready to be opened?—Yours fraternally , P . T . London , iSth September .

Reviews.

Reviews .

A Hundred Years on Dartmoor •. Historical Notices of the Forest and its Purlieus during the Nineteenth Century . By William Crossing , author of the Ancient Stone Crosses of Dartmoor , & c . Plymouth : The Western . Morning News Co ., Ltd ., 31 , George-street . 1901 . This remarkable work is already in a Second Edition ( which is now before us ) , and a third edition is now prepiring , Typographically and artistically it is a

great credit to this well-known Company ; tor its stall are really responsible for its production as a book , even the photographs for the choice illustrations ( 23 in number ) having been taken by the Manager ( Mr . Ernest Croft ) , Mrs . Croft , Mr . Hill , and others . The size is quarto , there are over 130 pages of closely printed matter on art paper ; it is well bound in cloth ( gilt ) , and is sold for half-a-crowu nett ( postage , 46 . extra ) . Mr . Crossing is one of the best authorities on the

subject , and writes from an intimate knowledge , basing his most interesting and accurate account upon actual perambulations and explorations of Dartmoor ; seeing for himself the objects that other writers have been content to take on trust or obtain from hearsay , and thus affording his readers a most trustworthy history of one of the most famous and grandest regions in England . " Devonia ' s Resort , " however , is not all wildness , nor does " solitude reign supreme "

throughout . The charming illustrations will dispel that notion , though , of course , the captivating portion of Dartmoor is still without a trace of man ' s occupancy or contains " vestiges of enclosures , the ruined foundations of huts , moss covered cairns and other sepulchral monuments , that speak of an early people . " The handsome volume includes all needful information on this doimin of Nature , " so unlike any other that England can show ; " and beyond question , is the most entertaining , reliable , complete and accurate work ever published on the subject .

"An Illustrated Catalogue of Old and Bare Books . Part IX . " { Pickering and Chat to , 66 , Ilaymarket , London , S . W . ) . —The final part of this most remarkable publication devoted to particulars of a number of scarce and valuable books and MSS . for sale , with prices affixed , is now to be obtained for sixpence only ( postage 2 d . extra ) , and reflects great credit on the enterprise of Messrs . Pickering and Chatto , for the artistic brochure is of large quarto , and

lavishly illustrated ; the reproductions of so many of the old and rare plates being simply perfect . The frontispiece to the present part is devoted to a reproduction of a portion of an Italian manuscript in colours , the original being richly illuminated , of about A . D . 1400 . There is a line portrait of Christopher Wren ( the son ) of 1750 , and other special features , which make this part one of the best of thc set , and the finest work of the kind ever published in this country .

An Irish Shrine.

AN IRISH SHRINE .

CLONFERT CATHEDRAL AND ITS SAILOR SAINT WHO DISCOVERED AMERICA BEFORE COLUMBUS . BY ROIIEKT DENNIS . * Nestling amid magnificent elms and beeches on a knoll overlooking the Shannon , in the very centre of Ireland , stands a building whichdating its

, foundation in the sixth century , is now approaching complete restoration Surrounding it is a churchyard , the gravestones of which are in themselves monuments of antiquity , and yet they are infants in comparison with thc small but beautiful structure standiug in their midst . The building is Clonfert Cathedral .

Here our footsteps touch the threshold of thc dawn of Christianity in the British Islands . While Anglia was still wrapped in the darkness of heathenism , the light of the new religion had already risen upon Hibcrnia ; and it was here , on this very spot , that St . Brendan nearly 1400 years ago laid the foundations of a monastery , of which the present cathedral is the successor . Here in the chancel lie his bones , and they have a jealous guardian in the present rector of the parish , thc Rev . Canon McLarney .

The romance of religion was never better illustrated than in the career of St . Brendan and in thu history of the cathedral which enshrines his remains . I he saint is known as "the navigator , " and lie is ( he patron saint of sailors . He was borr . at Tralee , in Kerry , in the year 4 S 1 . At an early period of his life he crossed to Great

Britain , and thence to France , founding monasteries or schools in his progress . But it was not until 545 that he undertook the voyage with which his name is chiefly associated . This event , which was called " the Setting Sail of St . Brendan and his Crew , " was commemorated in the calendars of the Christian Church on March 22 nd every year for many centuries afterwards .

Till : VOVAUK TO A . MKlilCA . Whither did the saint sail , and what did he discover ! " This is a question upon which light has only recently been thrown . The late Bishop of Iowa , at a meeting in Dublin a few years ago , asserted that St . Brendan not only landed in America yoo years before Columbus was born , but also evangelised a portion of the country at that time . It is certain that the voyage lasted altogether a peiiod of seven years .

'Ihe belief that Si . Brendan was the first European to visit America rests upon a number of isolated but significant facts . That the Icelanders an 1 the Norsemen preceded Columbus is generally admitted ; and when Columbus required information about his proposed voyage lie sought it in Iceland and Ireland . One of the sailors whom he took with him tu America was an Irishman named Patrick M . igtiire . . Maritime intercourse between Ireland and Iceland was frequent horn the earliest days of navigation . To various voyagers from time to

An Irish Shrine.

time the great western continent was known as " Ireland the Great ( Irland ed Mikla ) . Professor Rafn , of Copenhagen , is of opinion that this Great Ireland of the Northmen was the country south of Chesapeake Bay , including Carolina , Georgia , and East Florida . There is a remarkable tradition preserved among the Shawanese Indians , who emigrated more than a century ago from West Florida to Ohio , that " Florida was once inhabited by white men who used iron instruments . " Traces of Irish origin have been observed among some ot the original tribes of North and Central America , which suggest a presumption that those countries had been colonised from Ireland at some remote period .

A DISCOVERY BY CORTEZ . The history of early Irish Christian missions to America affords another proof of that country having been discovered by St . Brendan goo years before Columbus was born . In the year 1519 , when Cortez and his 600 companions landed in Mexico , they were surprised to find that their coming was welcomed by the Mexicans as the realisation of an ancient native tradition to the effect that many centuries before , a white man had come across the great ocean from the north-east in a boat with " wings " ( sails ) like those of the Spanish vessels .

In the year 55 S , six years after St . Brendan ' s return to Ireland from his voyage to America , he founded the cathedral of Clonfert , in co . Galway . When he came to Clonfert he said : '' This shall be my rest for ever ; here will I dwell , for I have a delight therein . " When he was dying at Annaghdown , near Gahvay , on May 16 th , 577 , when he was 9 6 years of age , one of his last requests was : " Bury mein my dear city of Clonfert . " His wish was granted . He was buried in the place of honour : in the chancel of the cathedral .

Clonfert cathedral has suffered so many vicissitudes during the long period of 1343 years of its existence that it is surprising anything ancient has remained . It suffered greatly from the incursions of the Danes , who frequently sailed up the River Shannon from Limerick and attacked it . It was burnt six times between thc years 949 and 1065 . In the year 1541 it was almost totally destroyed , Bishop Wolley repaired the cathedral in the year 1664 . From that time up to the present no general restoration was undertaken till Canon McLarney took the work in hand .

A VANISHED CITY . There is now no city of Clonfert ; there is not even a village . In ancient times a city did exist , and was celebrated as a seat of learning . The present University of Dublin narrowly escaped being established on that spot , because , being so central in the island , it was considered a convenient place for students to assemble . With the exception of the Bishop ' s Palace , now a private residence ,

and a single cottage , the cathedral stands alone . War , revolution , tribal feuds , industrial stagnation , fire , famine , and pestilence have done their work with exceeding thoroughness . Not even a vestige of the former city can be traced . The parish of Clonfert , although 27 Irish miles in circumference , contains a very small population . It is dotted about with a few private houses and a number of cabins ; yet thc land is good , and the scenery is of great sylvan beauty . There is , indeed , no part of Ireland that is fairer to look upon .

One of the curiosities ot Clonfert is the yew tree avenue , planted in the form of across . This is supposed , judging from the ' . size of the trees , to be many hundreds of years old . Indeed , it was possibly thc approach to some heathen temple which existed on the spot long even before the time of St . Brendan . It presents at this moment a remarkably beautiful appearance , and is certainly a unique spectacle . The war has greatly interfered with the collection of thc funds still necessary to complete the restoration .

It certainly would be a pity that an ancient historic cathedral , which has been used as a place of worship for 1343 years , should be allowed to decay . Clonfert Cathedral , having been founded in the year 558 , existed as a place of worship 39 years before St . Augustine landed in England , and thus dates before Canterbury Cathedral , York Minster , Winchester Cathedral , Westminster Abbey , Salisbury Cathedral , or many of the ancient cathedrals existing at the present day . —Daily Express .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Isle of Axholme Lodge , No . I 4 S 2-The monthly meeting of this lodge was held in the Masonic Rooms , Crowle ( Lin . ) j on the 24 th instant , when the following officers were present : Bros . T . Staniforth , W . M . ; A . C . Cundall , l . P . M . ; J . Constable , acting S . W . ; R . Wood , acting Sec . ; J . Barratt , J . W . j W . Cranidge , S . B . j C . Fox , acting J . D . ; J . Ilemini-brough , D . C ; H . L . Burtonshaw , Org . ; W . W . Scholey , S . D . ; A . Alexander , I . G . ; and G . Naylor , Tyler . Bro . T . J . Smith , W . M . elect 2259 , was a visitor .

Mr . E . J . Middlebrook , who had received a unanimous ballot at a previous lodge , was duly initiated by the VV . M . The brethren afterwards adjourned to the club room for light refreshment .

Chaucer Lodge , No . 1540 . On Tuesday , the 24 th instant , the members of this lodge met for the first time : ince March last at the St . James's Restaurant , the principal business being the election of a W . M . for the ensuing 12 months . There was a goodly gathering , including the following officers and Past Masters : Bro ; . W . Miles , VV . M . ; A . Birclay , S . W . ; A . F . S . irjeant , J . W . ; L . Weil , P . M ., Sec . ; S . Russell , S . D . ; E . II . Parry , J . D . ; W . Cooper , I . G . ; G . VV . Cooper , Org . ; T . II . Brooke Hitching , P . M . ; V . Cahn , P . M . ; J . Pilik , P . M . ; and f . Genese , l . P . M .

The ballot proved unanimous in favour of Bro . Alfred Barclay , S . W ., as Master elect , and the W . M . congratulated him on the occasijn . Bro . A . J . Bailey was also re-elected as Treasurer of the lodjje , and Bro . Youn ^ as Tyler . Thc usual dinner followed , and when the loyal and Masonic toasts had been duly honoured , Bro . G . VV . Cooper , 0 ; g ., presided at the piano , and with the assistance of Bros . Heney , Simon , and several other brethren give the members an excellent musical entertainment .

Viator Lodge , No . 2308 . INSTALLATION OF BRO . C . F . VV . CROWTHER . This highly successful City lodge held its installation meeting at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street , on Saturday , the 21 st inst . Present : Bros . K . B . A . Lodge , W . M . ; C F . VV . Crowther , S . W ., VV . M . elect ; C . H . Stone , P . M .. acting | . W . ; W . Sanders , P . M . Treas . ; T . H . HobbsP . M . P . P . J . G . D . BucksSec . ; F . A . PrattenS . D-i

, , , , , II . Loveless , J . D . ; J . Hodden , D . C . ; W . Carmn , I . G . ; R . Leach , Stwd . ; R . w . Whiting , P . M ., Tyler ; II . H . Pinkncy , l . P . M . ; E . VV . Hobbs , P . M . ; VV . Chapp < j , P . M . ; VV . Waterman , E . G . Reed , E . Young , F . J . Jewson , J . P . Chiles , N . II . Ramsden , C . Naylor , J . M . Owen , R . Beer , J . Bell , C . F . Brown , \ V . Roylance , F . G . Shcolridire , T . Morris , VV . II . Birch , 1 . Lodue , | . E . B . Burner , and H . C .

Stephens-Ihe visitors were Bros . \ V . II . Pemlfebury , 2030 ; A . Warehim , 2421 ; H . DiilcV ' W . M . 1 - -, '' , ; F . A . Sherrar , S . W . ifioS ; A . C . Green , 26 : 2 ; T . Pop ; , S 34 ; H . - >• Lee , D . C . 2721 ;; W . ] . Ross , 2421 ; T . S . Smith , VV . M . 177 ; ) . Anley , jun ., LI ••> ' ¦ 177 ; VV . Bridger , yo 2 ; E . Bailey , yn ; ] . Eyre , 1321 ; and C . II . Stone , P . M . 5 ° 7 and 1 ( 111

.. _ ,., The minutes of 'he previous meeting were read and confirmed . Bro . C . F . »» . Crowther , VV . M . elect , wis presented by Bro . T . H . Hobbs , P . M ., acting D . C to Hit VV . M . to receive trom him the benefit of installation , which ceremony was performed in