Original Correspondence.

That is , supposing I did not find it convenient to confer degrees at a regular lotlge , 1 could call a l « dge of emergency lhe next week , if I pleased , and do thc work . If this latitude be allowed by the Book of Constitutions I am sorry for it , and shall be g ' ad of information thereon . I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , HEMIIY J KITS , P . M . and W . M . No . 493 . Gloucester , Oct . 21 , 1875 .

MASONIC JEWELS . To lhe Editor <>/ ' the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — In answer to the question of " An Enquiring M . M . " as to his rig ht to wear the " five-pointed star , " as a jewel of lhe Third Degree , I must confess I do not think he

is entitled to wear it . Certainly the rule laid down m the Book of Constitutions is rather vague , but we have no intimation , cither in the ritual or elsewhere , that I know of , that that jewel in any way appertains to the Third Degree . The only jewel I know of that could be legally worn in a Craft lodge , besides those specified in the Book of Constitutions , are the Charity jewel and R . A ., and I cannot

understand how they came to be omitted among the legal jewels . Surely ' •An Enquiring M . M . " might be content with thc " badge " which fully designates his rank . I am , yours fraternally , E . Y . NEPEAN , P-M . 1373 , P . P . G . C . Hants and Isle oi "Wi ght .

FREEMASONRY IV THE NORTH OF ENGLAND . ' In lhe Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — I shall be very pleased to assist Bro . George Markham Tweddell in the compilation of a History of Freemasonry in the North of England .

The work is an extensive one , and at present I am not aware what materials Bro . Twulilcll has collected , but if he will communicate with me , and explain his intentions as to the History , what information he lacks , & c , & c , I shall be delighted to supnly all in my potver , so as to render his

work as complete and accurate as all the previous pro ductions from his pen , and I feel sure Bro . the Rev . A . F A . Woodford , M . A ., will also gladly assist . Yours fraternally , Witu / iu J AMBS HCGHAN . Truro , a 3 rd Oct ., 187 ; .

A CORRECTION . To the Editor if lhe Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — Allow me to correct a slight mistake which ivas published in your valuable paper the " Freemason " of last week . I had the pleasure of visiting King Harold Lodge , No . 1327 , to the installation meeting and banquet . The

mistake is in the name . The name in your paper is Mc-Lucy , of No . 60 , instead of McLcvy , of Widow Son Lodge , No . ( io , Charlottesville , Va , U . S . of America . By putting this correctly in your valuable paper next week , you will greatly oblige . I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours faithfully , and fraternally , MCLEVV .

BRO . NORTON . To lhe Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — Referring to the memorial you so kindly inserted on my behalf , I find my address was omitted when the brethren signed the paper . I now hasten to repair the

oversight , informing the Craft 1 shall be most happy to give full particulars of any distressing case on receipt of stampetl directed envelope to , Hopefully yours , B . S . NORTON . Tettenhall , Wolverhampton *

MASONIC JURISPRUDENCE . To lhe Editor of lhe Freemason . Dear Sir antl Brother , — A brother , in a fit of pique , writes to the W . M that he will never enter the lodge again . The W . M writes to him to ask whether the letter is intended as a re

signation , but receives no answer . He then calls , and by word of mouth receives the reply that it may be taken in thai light if the W . M . likes . My opinion is , that the lettcr did not imply resignation of membership ; and that , therefore , no verbal communication , even if it amounted to resignation , outside the lodge , could justify the W . M . in

having the brother ' s name taken off the books . I should like to hear the opinion of some of the many brethren , ( your correspondents ) , who are much older and more experienced Masons than myself , as to the matter , I remain , yours fraternally , SlGlI . lA'M .

THE MARK DEGREE . 7 b the Editor if the Freemason . Sir , — Your answer to " An Enquiring M . M . " in your last issue is that rather of a hostile , than of a friendly informant . Permit me to supplement your replies .

1 . Is the Mark Degree a recognized Masonic Order , i . e . by the Craft Grand Lodge ? It is not , any more than the 33 ° and the Temple , of which the Prince of Waks is G . M . But it is recognized by the 13 ° , by the Temple , by the Grand Chapters of Canada

ami the United States , and virtually by the Grand Chapter of Ireland . 2 . Dots it support the Masonic Charities ? The Mark Grand li . dye is a Yice-Prcsidtnt of the Boys ' anil Girls' Schorls , as arc several of its Provincial Grand . Lodges .

Original Correspondence.

3 . Their origin ? In thc 17 thcentury Mother Kilwinning Lodge made members choose their marks , and charged them a fee of four shillings . On January 7 th , 1778 , the Banff Operative Lodge laid down regulations for taking the tlegrees of Mark Man and Mark Master . Mark lodges existed in England under the York

Constitution ; the minutes ofthe St . John ' s Mark Lodge at Bolton , dating from 1770 . The English Mark Lodges formed themselves into a Mark Grand Lotlge under Lord Leigh in 18 5 6 , who was succeeded in i 860 by the Earl of Carnarvon , M . W . Pro Grand Master of the Craft . 4 . Is the Mark Degree a necessnry preliminarv to the

Royal Arch ? Not in England , but in Scotland , Ireland , Canada , and thc United States , no one can be a Royal Arch Mason unless he is a Mark Master ; and an English R . A . Mason , unless he were a Mark Master , would find himself debarred from entering a chapter in these countries where any work was going on . Yours fraternally , A MAUK MASTER .

[ Wc tlo not see how we have incurred thc animadversions of " A Mark Master . " We were asked as to the Grand Lotlge of England alone , and we answered accordingly , exactly as " A Mark Master " has answered with reference to England . We answered bona fide to the best of our knowledge and belief , and " A Mark Master" has himself shown that we were perfectly correct . We disclaim any hostility . —En . ]

A QUERY . To thc Editor if the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — I see a paragraph in a Sheffield paper , in the account of the meeting fd the Provincial Grand Lodge of West Yorkshire , in that town , on thc 20 th , which sounds tome rather oddly . Jn the Sheffield "Daily-Telegraph" of

October 2 ist these words which follow are reported as forming part of the speech of our estimable P . G . M . " These efforts have resulted in the election of the two girls , and one boy also has got in . For this we have to thank our Bros . Thomas Tew , D . P . G . M . ; Thomas Hill , Chairman of our' Charity Committee ; H . Smith , our P . G . Secretary , and Bro . Simpson , ol tlie St . Oswald's Lodge ,

who acted as scrutineer . " In the first place , may I ask what a " scrutineer" has to do with the election , since it is his duty to hold himself entirely aloof from any questions of voting ? And in the next place , may I respectfully inquire what Bro . Thomas Tew , D . P . G . M ., had to do with thc election ? Was he even present ? And lastly , is it too presumptuous to ask , to whom is our excellent P . G . M .

indebted for this garbled version of the real facts of the case ? Can our worthy Bro . Hill say , as the presiding representative of West Yorkshire , that such a version given of P . G . M ., -who no doubt spoke to the P . G . Lodge in all good faith , as he always does , is a correct one in any way ? 1 am , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , PALMAM ( jet MEKCIT FERAT , W . Y .

Reviews.

Reviews .

THE BYE-LAWS or THE YORK LODGE , 226 . We have been greatly pleased with this little book , which has been edited for this well-known lodge by Bro . Wm . Cowling , P . M ., and P . P . S . G . W . West Yorkshire , and by Bro . Joseph Todd , P . M ., P . P . G . O . It is a very admirable addition to our lodge histories , and to Masonic archaeology generally . For , in addition to a very lucid

history of the York Lodge itself , it contains a very animated account of Freemasonry at York , and both these papers do great credit to the two able brethren who have respectively compiled them . The little work also contains a photograph of the oldest known Masonic picture in the world , that is of Sir Walter Hawksworth , G . M . of the ancient Grand Lodge of York from 1711 to 1713 . We

only regret that our pages , full now to repletion , will not kllow of a longer review , but as we understand that a full review of this acceptable lodge history , admirably printed as it is , will appear in the " Masonic Magazine " for December , we must refer our readers to that serial for further particulars and a more detailed review . We can only congratulate the York Lodge and Bros . P . M . 's

Cowling and Todd on this happily completed " labour of lore , " and we take this opportunity of adding , that the spirit in which the York Lodge has ever treated the question of its own valuable records is in the highest degree creditable to the lodge and brethren , because based on the true principles of general courtesy , and the Masonic characteristics of liberality and consideration to all . W .

AN * OLD STORY . B y S . C . HALL , Esq . We have before us a very neatly printed and prettily got up story in aid of thc cause of Temperance . As Freemasons we always endeavour , or ought to do so , to be temperate in all things , and , therefore , anything which will help forward a very praiseworthy endeavour after reformation in respect of evil habits or untoward excess

deserves , and will command out friendl y approval . We do not presume to be dogmatic or dictatorial , or to lay down the law on the matter , for , to say the truth , we are no admirers of thc laws of Maine on this subject . But we gladly welcome all persuasive words and kindly efforts , whether in prose or verse , to improve defective habits , to restrain

unhappy tendencies , and to point out to ail , old or young , the healthful , and wholesome , and pressing claims of temperance on all who love their country , their families , their children , their neighbours , and their friends . We , therefore very readily commend Bro . Hall ' s poetic little tale to the kindly notice and perusal of our many readers at home and abroad . W .

Reviews.

THE INDIAN GRAPHIC . We have been much pleased with this extra issue of the " Graphic . " It is well got up , and reflects credit on its enterprising publishers . The visit of our Grand Master to India makes all that relates to India just now very interesting to Freemasons and to Englishmen . We fancy this extra number will have a large sale . W .

MASONIC MUSIC . " The Craft that has Weathered the Storm . " By Bro . SMEFWIN . —George Kenning . We commend this sprightly and effective little sono- , alike eloquent in words and harmonious in melody , to the notice of our many musical brethren . It will suitably increase their own " repertoire , " and greatly please their auditors . W .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Staffordshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF STAFFORDSHIRE .

For the first tune , the annual gathering of Freemasons of the Province of Staffordshire has been held at Lichfield , and the old city was on Tuesday aroused from its ordinary quietude by the assembling of nearly 200 brethren of the Craft . Tlie Provincial Grand Lodge was opened about

one o clock in the St . John s Lodge-room , at the George Hotel , when the Right Worshipful Bro . the Earl of Shrewsbury , Provincial Grand Master , accompanied by the Very Worshipful Bro . Frank James , Deputy Provincial Grand Master , the officers of Grand Lodge , and a large number of

Past Provincial Oflicers entered the lodge-room , and took their respective positions , the R . W . the Provincial Grand Master , & c , being saluted and received by the brethren Masonically . The other officers of Grand Lodge present were H . Wilson , 456 , P . J . G . W . ; the Revs . S . T . Tozer , 347 , and

T . B . Mundy , 1039 , P * G . Chaplains * John Bodenham , 726 , P . G . Treas . j W . Cartwright , 460 , P . G . Sec . ; E . Scrivener , 460 , P . S . G . D . - James * Watkin , 490 , P . J . G . D . •S . Hill , 546 , P . G . D . C ; Benjamin Love , 549 , P . M . and P . G . A . D . C . ; Thomas Bedsmore , W . M . 1039 , P . G . O . ¦

Sampson Bennett , 91 , P . G . S . B . ; Herbert Russell , IO , 39 i John Fowler , I . G . 1039 ; J * H . Henry , Sec . 1039 ; W . H . Durrad , 1039 ; J * Turnock , 1039 ; Chas . Lomas , 1039 , P . G . Stewards ; and H . Baggaley , 460 , P . G . Tyler . The following Past Provincial Grand Officers also inscribed

their names in the Tyler ' s book , viz .: —John Burton , MC ) , P . D . P . G . M . , * Jos . Newman , 539 , P . Prov . J . G . W . George Singleton Tutor , P . D . P . G . M . ; James Downess , 539 , P . P . G . Chaplain ; James Symons , 539 , P . M . ' and P . P . G . S . B . ; W . Bayliss , 1539 , P . M . and P . Prov . J . G . D . ; J . W . Hancock , 1068 , P . M . and P . Prov .

G . P . ; T . A . Jackson , 353 and 624 , P . M . and P . Prov . S . G . D . ; George Charles Richards , 301 , P . M . and P . P . S . G . D . ; J . C . M'Lean , 1039 , P-P . G . P . ; George Higham , 52 6 , P . M . and P . P . G . Superintendent of Works ; W . J . Gothard , 624 , P . M . and P . P . G . Superintendent of Works ; J . S . Witham , 850 , P . M . and P . P . G . S . B . ; James Rodgers , 418 , P . P . G . S . D . ;

W . W . Burton , 731 , S . W . and P . P . G . P . Derbyshire ; Charles Matthews , P . M . and P . P . J . G . W . ; George Spilsbury , 726 , P . M . and P . P . S . G . W . ; Clement Marsh , 4 63 , P . P . S . G . W . ; Sampson Bennett , 98 , P . M . and P . G . S . B . ; Henry Parker , 451 , P . M . and P . P . J . G . W . ; A . G . Prince , 546 , P . P . J . G . D . , * J .

Webberley , 54 6 , P . P . G . P . ; Henry Kilner , , 52 6 , P . GR ., * W . J . Whittal ) , 482 , P . M ., P . G . R ; Jas . F . Wileman , 5 S 6 , P . P . J . G . T . ; Frederick P . Derry , 482 , P . M . 1551 , and P . P . G . W . ; Thos . Taylor , 418 , P . M ., and P . P . G . S . W . ; R . Bindley , 1060 , P . M . and P . P . G . P . ; John L .

Gibbons , 425 , P . M . and P . P . S . of Derbyshire ; M . W . Wilson , 794 , P . P . S . G . W . Warwickshire ; George Cooper , 456 , P . P . G . P ., and a large number of officers and members of the various lodges in the province . The lodge having been opened in due form ,

the R . W . P . G . M . requested Brother Cartwrig ht , P . G . Secretary , to read the minutes of the last Provincial Grand Lodge , which was held in the Talbot Gallery at Alton Towers , and also the minutes of the three quarterly meetings which had taken place at Cannock , Longton , and

Handsworth , and these were subsequently confirmed . Brother J . Bodenham , P . G . Treasurer , reported that the receipts to Grand Lodge for tho year amounted to s £ i 15 16 s ., and the disbursements to fi * 2 * 8 o 15 s . iod ., leaving a balance of . £ 105 is . 2 d ., in addition to £ 110 belong ing