Correspondence.

Correspondence .

Wc do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wish , in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limitsfree discussion .

GRAND LODGE OF HUNGARY . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , At the request of the M . W . Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Hungary , I send you the following extract ( translated ) from the " Relet" of July 15 th , 1898 , which is the official organ of the Grand Lodge of Hungary : , "The Bible as the 'Greatest Light . '

It has created quite an unpleasant impression in our . Grand Lodge that some foreign Masonic papers asserted that the Bible is not used as a ' Light' in our Lodges . The truth is that on the altars of most of our Lodges the Bible is to be found , which is held here just as much in esteem as it is in the case of English Lodges .

" Only in the ' Constitutions' mention of the Bible has been omitted up to now , but this defect will soon be remedied , as on the 17 th of June a conference of the Grand Masters was held , which occupied itself with the question of the necessary alteration of the Constitutions . It was agreed at this conference that a proposal should be moved in the ' Council of the Order , ' according to which the Council were required to take the necessary steps to make the use of the Bible , as a symbol on the altar , compulsory in every Lodge , We have no doubt at all that the Council of the Order will accept this proposal unanimously . "

This extract shows that our Hungarian brethren are doing their best to bring themselves into line with our ancient landmarks , and a most trustworthy brother in Budapest assures me that it is perlectly true that the Volume ot the Sacred Law has always been used in many Hungarian lodges , especially those created under the former St . John ' s Grand Lodge . It certainly seems rather strange that these alterations in the Constitutions made in 18 S 6—twelve years ago —should

only now be brought to the notice of English Masons by a Hungarian brother , when so many members of English lodges are frequently visiting Hungarian lodges , and appear to have noticed nothing amiss . It is only som ; two months ago that I was in conversation with a well-known English brother of high rank , who had just been visiting lodges in Budapest , and who spoke in the highest manner of Hungarian Freemasonry .

Whilst it is the duty of every Freemason to protest in the strongest way against any violation of the fundamental principles of the Order , it must also be remembered that true Masonic feeling should induce your informant to use every persuasive and fraternal means to bring about a better state of things , if they are as bad as he represents , rather than by helping to place his Grand Lodge under an interdict , forcing matters to an unnecessary and reg rettable crisis .

It is also but fair to remember that the accusation is so far an ex parte statement , unsupported by the testimony of other Hungarian brethren or English visitors . •As to the final sentence of the article in last week ' s p \ per— " What has the

Grand Master to say to this ? " I was always taught that the " onus of proof " rests with the accuser , otherwise , any of us may be at any moment called upon to prove the incorrectness of any absurd statement that anyone may choose to make against us . Trusting that if your informant writes further he will do so under his own signature . —Believe me , very fraternally yours , FRED . I . W . CROWE .

Torquay , July 25 th . W . M . 328 , P . Prov . G . O ., & c . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , The disclosures that have appeared in the Freemason of late ,

relative to the expunging of the primary fundamental principle of the Craft , from the Hungarian " Book of Constitutions , " as far back as 1 SS 6 , will , no doubt , induce a general opinion here that it is high time the advisers of the Grand Master of England dealt as promptly with the Hungarian Body as they did with the Peruvians quite recently .

Immediate action is the more necessary from the fact that the Grand Lodge of Hungary is recognised by our Grand Lodge , and that the two Grand Lodges exchange representatives . On the other hand , the Grand Lodge of Peru had never been recognised as a Sovereign Body by the Grand Lodge of England . —Fraternally yours , W . F . LAMONBY . July 23 rd .

Reviews.

Reviews .

"LINCOLN . THE CATHEDRAL AND SKI :. "—( George Dell and Sons , York-street , Covent Garden , London . Price is . ( ul . cach . Or from anj ; Bookseller . )—Bell's Cathedral Series increases in interest and importance as each successive volume is published , for each candidate for the suffrages of the many who desire the latest information on the great Ecclesiastical Buildines of this Country , proves how thoroughly the collection is being edited by Messrs . White and Strange , and that their selection of the writers of the several handy and artistic volumes has secured in each case a work " compiled with

sufficient knowledge and scholarship to be of value to the student of Archiealogy and History , and yet not too technical in language for the use of ordinary visitor or tourist , " as they made it their aim on starting the series . Any one desirous of testing the character of this admirable collection of handy Guides to the English Cathedrals should obtain a copy of the latest issue , viz ., "The Cathedral Church of Lincoln , " whiih contains a History and description of its Fabric , and a list of the Bishops , by Mr . A . F . Kendrick ,

B . A . lhere are 40 illustrations , some of which arc gems reproduced from water colour paintings , photographs by the Photochrom Co ., and others , old engravings , & c . They leave nothing to be desired , and with such a volume in one's hand , the visitor to Lincoln and its Ca hedral set on a hill , is quite independent of any Guide or other aid . Others are in preparation , about which our readers will be informed in due course , and it is hoped that the reception the series is receiving will induce the spirited Publishers to continue these excellent manuals until the set is complete .

Summer Outing Of The Leopold Lodge, No. 1571.

SUMMER OUTING OF THE LEOPOLD LODGE , No . 1571 .

The members of the above lodge , with their wives and friends to the number of 90 , assembled at Paddington on the 27 th ultimo , proceeding by fast Great Western train to Reading , where the steam launch "Bona Fide" was in readiness to take the party to Windsor .

Summer Outing Of The Leopold Lodge, No. 1571.

Amongst the company were Bro . Langford , W . M ., and Mrs . Langford ; Bro Carey , P . M ., Treas ., and Mrs . Carey ; Bro . Morgan , P . M ., Sec , and Mrs . Morgan \ Bro . Hampson , I . P . M ., and Mrs . Hampson ; Bro . Meadows , P . M . ; Bro . Horwill , S . W . ; Bro . Morris , J . W ., and Mrs . Morris ; Bro . Leach . S . D . ; Bro . Lee , J . D ., and Mrs . Lee ; Bro . Dowse , Stwd . ; Bro . Barker , W . M . 1607 , and Mrs . Barker ; Bro . Brown , W . M . 1446 , and the Misses Brown ; Bro . Davies , P . M ., and Miss Emily Davies ; Mr . Leopold Rivers , Mrs ., and Miss Rivers ; Bro .

Copper and Mrs . Copper ; Bro . Saunion , P . M . ; Mr . and Mrs . W . Anning ; Mr . and Mrs . A . Anning ; Bro . Hall , Mrs ., Miss Hall , and Miss E . Hall ; Mrs . Bennett , Mrs . Simmonds , Miss Schulz , Bro . Brittain , P . M . ; Mrs . Jackson ; Bro . Hanson and the Misses Hanson ; Bro . Gabell and Mrs . Gabell ; Bro . Reynolds and Mrs . Reynolds ; Mr . and Mrs . Collins ; Bro . Joseph Durell and

Mrs . Durell ; Bro . James Durell , Mrs ., and the Misses Durell ; Miss Davies ; Mr . Tagart ; Bro . Lattimer and Mrs . Lattimer ; Bro . Brownfield , Dr . Dutton , Mr . Wyman , Mr . A . W . Johns , Bro . Maud and Mrs . Maud ; Bro . Radcliffe , P . M ., and Mrs . Radcliffe ; Bro . Grove , P . M ., Mrs ., and Miss Grove ; Bro . Eddie and Mrs . Eddie ; Mr . and Mrs . JtcCormack ; Mr . and Mrs . Mumford ; Mr . and Mrs . Miller ; Mr . Selfe and Mr . Langford ; and others .

Leaving Caversham Bridge , a start was made for Marlow , and though at times showers intervened , the scenery of the Thames was greatly admired , some lasting impressions of the company being taken en route by Mr . Selfe , photographer . Marlow having been decided upon for dinner , the party repaired to the Crown Hotel , where Bro . Coles had prepared for the creature comforts in a manner which gave general satisfaction .

Grace having been sung , Bro . LANGFORD , W . M ., in giving "The Queen and the Craft , " spoke feelingly of the glorious reign of her Gracious Majesty and of her example as a daughter , wife , and mother , and trusted that for many years she might be spared to adorn the throne of these realms . " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., " next claimed attention , the W . M . coupling with it the Illustrious Consort of the Grand Master , both of whom were ever ready to further by their presence the Institutions of the country which owed much to the patronage which Royalty had bestowed upon the n .

The toast of "The Ladies ' was entrusted to Bro . EDMUND J . MORGAN , P . M ., Sec , who , in submitting the same , said that the gentlemen present who hid the good fortune to be married , and vho had attained that blissful state by way of banns knew what the third time of asking meant . He had the privilege for the third time at the Leopold summer outing of submitting the health of the ladies—a toast always honoured with the greatest loyalty by Freemasons wherever assembled . He asked the gentlemen to picture to themselves a summer

outing without the presence of ladies . It was their presence that made them rich , and the gathering that day without their genial company would be a perfect blank . Whatever the bachelors present , ignoring the good advice given to their first Father Adam , that it was not good for man to dwell alone , might think of the ladies—or should he say of woman God's best gift to man?—he was giadto think that for the most part the brethren of the Leopold Lodge knew the value of a helpmeet in their daily lives . First in joining in their pleasures , the ladies were

the first in sharing their adversity ; and happy was the man who in the hour of his distress and affliction had the tender sympathy and affection of his better half to fall back upon . Although there might be some ladies who , as Sir Walter Scott had said , " In our hours of ease are uncertain , coy , and hard to please , " yet how truly did he add in speaking of women— "When pain and anguish wring the brow , a ministering angel thou , " and of this latter qualification , had they not had a noble instance in the self sacrifice and

devotion of Mrs . Gladstone during the lingering illness of England's illustrious Statesman whom the world had justly and recently mourned . So long as their lady friends possessed the grand qualifications of self-sacrifice , devotion , tenderness , and love , so long would they continue to exercise that elevating influence which shaped the destiny and commanded the admiration of poor stolid man . On behalf of the Leopold Lodge , he extended to the ladies a very hearty welcome , thanked them for gracing the outing with their presence , and trusted that they might have the pleasure of their company on many future occasions .

The ladies found a worthy champion in Bro . PERCY LEACH , S . D ., who in one of his characteristically humorous speeches acknowledged the sentiments of the proposer of the toast as being well deserved by the ladies of whom noihing too good could be spoken , and who had come out in such large numbers to honour the ' ^ Leopold" outing with their presence . Judging by their happy countenances

they had evidently thoroughly enjoyed themselves , notwithstanding the absence of the sunshine , which had been made up to the sterner sex in the genial presence of the ladies . He only hoped that their pleasant reunion would be continued year by year , promising on behalf of the ladies that they would not fail to make the gatherings a success .

Bro . J HAMPSOX , I . P . M ., asked the company , before separating , to drink to " The Health of the Worshipful Master , Bro . Langford , " who had acted in so able a manner as Secretary to the summer outing , and paid a well-deserved compliment to Bro . Langford for the excellent arrangements made for the day's enjoyment .

Bro . LANGFORD , in reply , sincerely thanked the ladies , brethren , and gentlemen for such an expression of kindness . He had been well repaid in the happy faces he saw around him , and hoped that the summer outing , in connection with which the lodge over which it was his privilege to preside , and which was now well-rooted , would become an annual event with the Leopold lodge .

Miss Emily Davies favoured the company with a couple of songs , which were much admired . The return journey was made by launch as far as Windsor . Miss Grove , Miss Brown , Bro . Brown , Bro . Anning , Bro . Lattimer , Mr . A . W . Johns , Bro . Brownfield , Bro . Morgan , P . M . ; Bro . Horwill , S . W . ; and Mr . Leopold Rivers contributed to the harmony of the occasion .

Notwithstanding that the weather was poor compared with pre / ious outings , a most enjoyable day was spent , the ladies looking forward with much pleasure to the next re-union .

An Oration.

AN ORATION .

The following Oration was delivered by Bro . the Rev . G . HERHERT IMUIWEK , P . Prov . G . Chaplain Norths and Hunts , at the consecration of the St . Ivo Lodge , No . 26 S 4 , St . Ives , in February last , and has been published in neat pamphlet form by our Rev . brother : R . W . Sir and Brethren , —It now devolves upon me , as Prov . Grand Chaplain for this year , to deliver what is called an oration . And while , on the one hand , I could well wish that the duty had fallen into far worthier and more capable hands

than my own , yet , on the other hand , 1 can hardly be insensible to the happy coincidence by which the consecration of a lpdge , in the formation of which I have naturally taken a very great interest , and even a humble share , has been broug ht about during the year of my chaplaincy in the province . We are met together , then , to-day , in the name of the Most High , to lay , as it were , the foundationstone of a new Masonic Temple , to be dedicated henceforth to the honour and glory of His holy name , and the promotion , we trust , of the highest and truest 1 interests of our ancient and honourable Fraternity . But , as Speculative Masons ,