The Grand-Orient.

lodge may select its own style of apron ; and we are informed that in Irish lodges it is not unusual to see brethren , as is often the case on the Continent , attend ¦ lod ge without any regalia whatever , " I have pleasure in informing you that Irish lodges have not the privilege of selecting any particular colour or style of apronthe Ahiman Rezon being explicit on the

, subject . The 129 th rule orders : — For Entered Apprentices an apron of white lambskin , from fourteen to sixteen inches broad across the waist , and from twelve to fourteen inches deep , with a triangular flap , which reaches to the middle of the

apron . No ribbons , border , or ornament of any kind should be on this apron . For Fellow Crafts an apron of the same size , shape , and material , having two rosettes of sky-blue ribbon on the two lower corners of the apron . For Master Masons an apron similar to that just

described , with the addition of a rosette on the flap . The authorised lodge collars are of sky-blue watered ribbon four inches wide , edged with silver lace . The Grand Lodge collars are the same with the exception of being trimmed with gold lace . It is not in accordance with facts to say that in

Irish lodges "it is not unusual" to see brethren attend lodges without aprons . I have attended many Irish lodges both at home and in the colonies , and have never yet met a brother in Blue Lodge without an apron . Being at present W . M . of a Blue Lodge I can

-speak with certainty on the subject . Yours fraternally , J . L . W ., 30 . - . Sligo , April 12 .

TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMASONS MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIEROE . Dear Sir and Brother , —I confess that Bro . Hyde Clarke ' s mode of reasoning completely baffles me , and I cannot for the life of me understand what lie is driving at . On the whole , I am inclined to think 'that Bro . Clarke thought my article a suitable peg on

which to hang a bundle of suggestions to the Grand Lodge of England ; but while I am quite ready to admit that Bro . Clarke ' s views as to the respective functions of the Board of General Purposes , the Colonial Committee , & c , are entitled to every respect , I must protest against his mode of argument as regards

the Grand-Orient . The following comparison of Bro . Clarke ' s statements speaks for itself : — The Grand-Orient is not , It is quite true that the so far as I am aware , the Grand-Orient is recogrecognised Masonic body nised by the Grand Lod

ges in the Grand Lodges of of Ireland and Scotland , Great Britain . —Magazine , to which may be added March 28 th . their Supreme Councils likewise . The Grand Lodge of England has always recognised the

Craft degrees of the Grand Orient . —Magazine , April llth . When Bro . Clarke wrote in the Magazine for March 28 th to show that I had " very much misled

The Grand-Orient.

your readers , '' he proceeds to demonstrate the same by statements which were guarded by the words , " so far as I am aware . " In the Magazine for April llth Bro . Clarke says "I believe " in proof that the Grand Lodge recognises the degrees of the Supreme Cornell . Bro . Clarke must excuse me saying that there are

more things in heaven and earth than his philosophy is " aware" of , and that these are questions of fact and not of " belief . " If I have been mistaken on any point I am ready to frankly acknowledge my error when proper proofs are adduced . Yours fraternally , THE WRITER OF THE ARTICLE . April 13 th .

Red Cross Knights Of Constantine

RED CROSS KNIGHTS OF CONSTANTINE

TO THB EDITOR OF ^ THB FREEMASONS' MA 0 A 2 INB ANB MASONIC MIRROR . Dear Sir and Brother , — "No Cross , no Crown , " gives a most satisfactory account of the state of tbe Order of the Red Cross of Constantine ] in 1813 . I presume your correspondent is able to state that the members at the present day are persons of the same

class , and that it is duly maintained . It will likewise be gratifying to find that there was any public account of proceedings at which these distinguished persons were present corresponding to those we have lately seen reported in your Magazine . Yours fraternally , OBSERVER .

TO THB EDITOR OT TIIK FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIRROR . Dear Sir and Brother , —Are we to understand that "No Cross , no Crown , " is the exponent of the views of Bro . Little , and that he has given us the authentic information which Bro . Little ' s colleagues counselled him not to give in propria persona ... This

we may presume is accurate , though in impropria persona . If so , it raises some curious questions , for we find it stated that this fraternity gives pure and simple teachings more in consonance with the broad principles of the Craft than the reveries of Ramsay , or the

subsequent inventions of similar chevaliers d'industrie . If the insinuation is that this fraternity is connected with the ancient Order , as alleged by Bro . Hyde Clarke , then it it is pretty certain there is no ancient ritual of the ancient Order , and any ritual now cited must be a modern invention . I see in

your Magazine reports of so many degrees and ceremonials having rituals , that this fraternity must have as many rituals as any Masonic Order or rite in existence . This leads to the suggestion that such rituals must be of the manufacture of Ramsay and similar chevaliers d'industrie , and concocted on the

same princi p les . These are questions well worthy of investigation . The Masonic and other princip les of many of the gentlemen named are perfectly well known , and if some of them have taken part in such ritual performances , there are many others who would not . On the solution of these questions depends the

issue raised by ? £ < , to what jurisdiction these degrees are amenable . Yours fraternally , R . * .