Masonic Notes And Queries.

members of the society , to be elected annually by ballot , on the first Saturday in January . IX . " Tbat none but members shall be admitted to the practice meetings of the society , but the committee shall have power to arrange for occasional open nights , not

exceeding four in the season , to which brethren will be admissible as visitors on tickets , obtained through members only . X . "That the Treasurer ' s accounts , duly audited , shall be laid before the members at the first meeting in January . XI .

" That no rule of the society shall be altered , or new rule added , without at least a fortnight ' s notice of the proposed alteration being given . " VOLTAIRE AND FREEMASONRY . Ill answer to " Zefca , " it is folly which Voltaire ascribed to the propagators of Freemasonry . There is a misprint

in the article communicated by me , Notes and Queries , page 375 , of the last volume of the FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE . " Foris" should be read " fous . " " Zeta" professes to be versed in the French language , but he does not seem to have very great power of conjectural emendation . — CHARLES PURTON COOPER .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

The Editor it not responsible for the opinions expressed by Correspondent ) . MASONIC UNION . 10 IHB EDITOB OS THH FBE _ -- _ ASO _ . S' Hl _ tAZI _ . H A 5 . D MASO-flC MIl-HOB . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , — -On reading your otherwise admirable report of the most interesting proceedings on the occasion of the opening of the new hall of the

" Masonic Union , Limited , " under the auspices of the Grand Conclave of Knights Templar , I much feared that misunderstanding would be excited in the minds of some Sir Knts . and others , who , from reading the account ¦ of tbe proposition and response by Sir Knt . Ridgway and myself , would be led to believe that an occurrence of an unpleasant nature had taken place at the close of a

memorable and most agreeable and successful meeting , which might threaten discord between members of a body now happily as united as ever , and , I believe , daily increasing in numbers , wealth , and importance . Unfortunately my fears have been realised , as evidenced by the letter in your columns of the Oth inst ., signed " A Young Provincial Brother , No . 2 . " My recollection may be at fault , or I may have attached to Sir Knt . Ridgway ' s observations a meaning other than that which you thought them calculated to convey . I have , however ,

spoken to many present -on the 9 th of December last , and they unanimously agree with me that in Sir Knt . Ridgway ' s language or manner there was nothing antagonistic to the best interests of the Order of Knights Templar , or that could be offensive to , or unpopular with , any assembly under its banners . Sir Knt . Ridgway was desirous of paying me a

compliment ( doubtless entirely undeserved ) in connection with the work that day brought to an issue . The chairman ruled that this was travelling out of the record , but kindly , and , as I believe , cordially concurred in the compliment in another shape . This difference in feeling and opinion upon an unimportant subject led to a very slight discussion , and most unquestionably , if I did use any

words which might be construed as objecting to the " interruptions" of Sir Knt . Ridgway , they were intended as altogether friendly and jocular . My attempts at wit may perhaps be of a ponderous and sombre character , and as I fancy they generally turn out to be failures , it will be for tbe better if I altogether abandon them for the future , and confine myself exclusively to the serious line of business .

Correspondence.

I am perfectly well aware bow competent Sir Knt . Ridgway is to maintain his own cause , to support his own opinions , and to defend himself against any attack or misrepresentations , with neither of which do I charge you or the author of the most excellent report in question . Since I have had the pleasure of his acquaintance , no essential difference of opinion has ever occurred

between us , though wo have often discussed questions of importance in connection with various orders and degrees of Masonry in which it is my happiness to meet him ; therefore it is that I am anxious to correct any erroneous impression as to expressions made use of by him while favourably noticing any poor exertions or services of mine .

And now , Sir , if I have not exhausted your patience with a too lengthy dissertation on a private matter , I will just beg permission and space to refer to the points of public importance alluded to by your correspondent . I feel sure this brother writes in a spirit of friendliness and of well-wishing to the cause of Masonry generally , but I do not like his indiscriminate censure of the

Supreme Masonic Jurisdictions . Where we have sworn allegiance , let us be leal and true , and take the proper and constitutional means of reforming such abuses as may be proved to exist . There are many things in the relations between the ruling powers of the orders and degrees not recognised by the United Grand Lodge of England which , in the opinions of a large number of

influential members , are eminently unsatisfactory , but a wholesale denunciation in print will not tend to rectify them , nor will the application of such epithets as " tomfooleries" exclude from " Blue , Arch , or Knightly degrees " any practices thus characterised . Representation of the provinces in our governing assemblies is extremeldesirableand may be considerablextended if

y , y the same zeal which breathes in your correspondent ' s language is exhibited in act by him and the " hundreds of good men and true who pant for relief . " I do not intend the slightest reference in anything I have written to the United Grand Lodge of England , in whose affairs I feel a strong interest , though from its deliberations I withdrew nearly three years since ; but I

am sure that if our " Young Provincial Brother , No . 2 " will write privately to the Grand Vice-Chancellor of the Templars , to the Secretary-General of the Supreme Grand Council , to myself , any and every suggestion he or his friends may urge with a view to improvement , will be submitted to tho various executives with which we are connected , and will be carefully considered .

I cannot close this letter without adding the expression of my earnest wish to tbat contained iu your leading article of Saturday last , that friendly and peaceful counsels may guide all the members of our time-honoured Institution , in all its branches , tbat whatever may be the differing value we attach to this Order or that degree , we at least endeavour to cultivate social amenities

may , and to live in unity and brotherly love—remembering that the keystone of our structure is Charity . I am , dear Sir and Brother , Yours very fraternally , FREDK . BINCKES . Masonic Union Limited , 14 , Bedford-row , W . C , 12 th January , 1864 .

The Glamorgan Lodge And Its Reinitiation.

THE GLAMORGAN LODGE AND ITS REINITIATION .

10 IHB EDITOI- OF Till ! _ . _!_ . _ - ___ lSO _ . s' MAGAZINE AITD MASONIC J-IItHOIi . DEJIR SIR AND BROTHER , —Having in a former communication expressed an intention of reporting this unlawful proceeding to the higher Masonic authorities , allow me to explain to you , and to any of your numerous readers who may be looking for the denouement of this most extraordinary affair , my reasons for forbearing to adopt a course which I am convinced must have insured