Correspondence.

the first time ; it rests with you to say whether it shall also be the last . Believing with confidence that you will not refuse to aid me with your advice , I will , without further preface , " a round unvarnished talc deliver of my whole course of" Masonry . In 1853 , being on a visit to one of the presidencies ofthe Indian empire , I was " initiated " and " passed , " iu a Lodge holding under the Grand Lodge of Scotland . Being compelled to

leave India for a time , in search of health , I some months afterwards sought admission to the sublime degree , but not being able to attend in time on the evening fixed for the ceremony , I was obliged to content myself with the certificate of a Fellow Craft , instead of the coveted diploma of a Mark Mason . Armed with this , on arrival in one ofthe British colonies , I sought and obtained admission in an excellent Lodge , holding under the Grancl Orient of France and hereafter a timeI was dul " raised" and I must

; , , y , in truth affirm , having often since seen the degree given in Scotch Lodges , that , for solemnity and impressiveness the French mode of conducting that awe inspiring ceremony is unequalled . On my return to India , I passed the chair of my mother Lodge , as a necessary preliminary to

exaltation m the Royal Arch Chapter attached thereto , and was the same evening duly exalted . This was iu 185-1 . It was not , liowever , till last year that I obtained my diploma from the Supreme Boyal Arch Chapter of Scotland , and here is the first of my difficulties . I am told b y a Companion that this diploma would not admit me into any Eoyal Arch Chapter in England .. Is this the case—and , if so , why is it—and what is my remedy' ? Again ; a few years ago , a Scotch Companion asked me if I was an Ark

Mariner and Mark Master Mason ? and , on my replying in the negative , expressed his surprise at my having heen exalted ivithout first taking it . He , however , informed me that , as Past Principal of a Scotch Chapter , he was authorized to give me the degree , ancl he shortly after did so , and since then I have assisted in making others . But I know of no record in ivhich our names have been entered as Mark Masons , and having no diplomas or warrantsI doubt if we should be acknowledged b regular Lodge of

, y any Mark Masters . Kindly give me your opinion and advice on this point . 1 look forward to your reply with much anxiety , ancl , meanwhile , subscribe myself , Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , Bombay , Man 2 nd , 1859 . A Son or THE AVIDOW .

[ Our Brother and Companion has been misinformed : the Boyal Arch certificate of Scotland would be acknowledged in an English Chapter , ancl moreover covers the Mark degree . Our brother , however , would not be acknowledged as a Past Master in England , he having only heen placed in the Master ' s chair to take the Master ' s degree , to qualify him for exaltation —a practice opposed to the English working . —En , ]

" Masonic Missions."

" MASONIC MISSIONS . "

TO TEE EDITOR 01 ' THE FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIRROR ; DEAR SIR AXD BROTHER , —Some of your remarks in connexion with my letter of the 25 th May I cannot but approve ; but there are one or two statements made , which I think should be corrected ; and as you "invite corrections , " and candidly admit that " although you base your remarks on