A Masonic Pilgrimage.

A MASONIC PILGRIMAGE .

SO THE EDITOE OF THE FREEMASON'S' ^ TAGAZIXE AITD iTASO ^ IC 2 II 3 E 02 . Lear Sir and Brother , —I have perused in yom pages the letter from my esteemed friend and brother , Dr . Findel , with that attention and interest which he always has a right to claim from Preemasons . But I confess that I deeply regret the expression of his opinions against Bro . R . Morris' pilgrimage , and that he can see no possible good from his "researches in the Orient . "

Our German brethren have ever been so foremost in all Masonic studies , and we here have been so encouraged by their good example , that , coming from my learned brother , such expressions sound strange and unsympathising . But , my learned brother , from his " staid precept , " no doubt is quite consistent in his observationsand no one has more right to be

, heard , from his long and laborious researches . But , though ill health for a time has compelled me to forego my long-cherished plan of publishing the collections I have now long been making , I venture to-day to make a few remarks on my learned brother ' s statement that there is amidst scientific

Masons no doubt that the third degree is an invention of modern time , not earlier than 1717 . I respectfully venture to differ from him , even at the risk of being classed amongst the unscientific , and to observe that even among German writers there is not such an absolute agreementand

cer-, tainly not amongst English writers . On the contrary , there is , as it appears to me , plenty of evidence of an exactly contrary nature . "When , my learned brother , Dr . Findel , was iu England , I had the pleasure of showing him for the first timeand giving him a copy which I had procured

, , through the kindness of Mr . Jones , of the MS . department , British Museum , of that most important and interesting document which ho had published in his Appendix , page 69 , marked 0 .

In Dr . Findel ' s most striking account of his journey to England , he alludes to this valuable document as making the third degree much older than he thought ; and if Dr . Findel is right , as I think he is , that Dr . "West drew from this MS . his remarks , we may safely say that that MS . dates from about the middle of the seventeenth centuryand refers to a much older ritual

, , I confess I cannot see the use or the tendency to strip our old traditions of their value and importance . It must ever be an open question whether Dr . Findel ' s theory or Krause ' s is the correct one . Much may be said on both sides ; but do not let us condemn all who differ from usas Masonry is surelwide

, y enough for us all . I venture , therefore , in your pages to express my thanks to Bro . Morris for his proposed pilgrimage , as anything whicli tends to throw li ght ou the traditions , antiquities , and archeology of our Order , deserves to be gratefully appreciated by tho Fraternity at large .

Since I saw Bro . Dr . Findel in England I have become possessed of a MS . copy of the Constitutions , edited by Bro . M . Cooke , and which had belonged , first to Mr , Cowper , and afterwards to the learned Sir P . Pal grave , and on the fly sheet of which these words are written in an old handwriting : — "This is a very ancient record of Masonry which was copied for me by Wm . Reid , Secretary to the

A Masonic Pilgrimage.

Grand Lodge 172 S . Lord Coleraine , Grand Master ; A 3 . Choche , I > epy . (?) ; 2 \ ai . Blackerly and Jo , Highmore , Grand Wardens . Yours fraternally , A . P . A . " "WooiorcHD . P . G . C ,

The Fire At Her Majesty's Theatre.

THE FIRE AT HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE .

TO THE SDIT 03 0 ? HIE ESEEJIASOjS' MAGAZINE ASD JUSO > "IC UIHK 02 . Dear Sir and Brother , —The enclosed circular has been used extensively , but I shall feel obliged by your giving it a place in your columns , as it may meet the eye of some friend whose name has been omitted from the list , aud whose presence at the meeting may

be of service—it being understood that the attendance of any gentlemen desirous of aiding in the good work will be highly esteemed . The circular will at the same serve as a reply to enquiries and suggestions in recent numbers of the Freemasons' Magazine . Earnestly soliciting co-operation . Yours fraternally ,

London , FEEDEMCX : BIXCKZS . Sth Jan ., 1 S 6 S . "Her 3 Iajesty ' s Theatre and Bro . S . May . •' ¦ 6 , Freemasons' Hall , "W . C ., " 6 th January , 1 S 6 S .

' ' Dear Sir and Brother , —The severe and unfortunate loss sustained hy Bro . S . May , from the recent disastrous , fire , is considered by that gentleman ' s Masonic aud theatrical friends , as affording a legitimate opportunity for presenting to Bro . May , a testimonial worthy his acceptance , as evidencing the

estimation in which he is held , and to which his services in connection with nil works of Charity so justly entitle him . " Your attendance at a meeting to he held at Freemasons' Tavern , Great Queen-street , Lincoln ' s-inufields , on Monday , 13 th January , at eight o ' clock

p . m ., will be esteemed a favour . "If unable to be present , will you kindly inform me if you are willing to serve on a committee proposed to be formed for carrying out the above object , or to further its accomplishment in any other effectual manner , . "I am , clear Sir and . brother , ' "• ' Yours very faithfully ,

' 'PEEDEEICK ; BIDTCEES . "Secretary , Royal Masonic Institution for Boys " ( Acting pro . ten :, ) " [ "We are glad to find that some active steps arc being taken , and we trust that the amount of subscription will demonstrate that so worthy a brother has not failed to ensure the good will of the Craft , after so many vears' loving labour for the benefit of it . —ED . P . M . I

IN tho ivorsfc . 13-03 of licentiousness , tho serial ties of jlnsoury have withstood the storm , and if soma poor , miserable , cowardly v .-retch may , hero or thoro , have boon earriod a-. vay beyond tho safe moorings of his character as a Jfasvor 3 Iason . the execration . ' ! and swift punishment of tho brotherhood cniy yr . -A thj orinio exceptions to our noblo principles ,