Correspondence.

" ' This Hall to bo sold . May be viewed daily , from two to three . Apply to S . Jewell , Gloucester-street . ' " Your obedient Servant , " Jane Villi , 1859 . " AN ADMIRER OF THE CRAFT . "

On the same evening , another paper , ZVie British Press , contained the following : — [ To fche Editor of The Independent . ] ' ¦ ' Sir , —A non-Masonic friend has this morning pointed out to me a letter iu a local paper of yesterday ( which otherwise I should not havo seen ) signed 'S . Jewell , W . M ., So . 722 ' accompanying it with the remarkthat' if anything could lower

, , Freemasonry and the ivritor of the letter iu public estimation , that would effect it . ' The motives by which this letter has been dictated are too evident to require auy explanation of them . I merely desire to direct attention to the matter , so far as to disclaim on my own part , unci I trust that I may add , on that of members of the Craft generally , any participation iu the sentiments thereing expressed . 1 would also say , that it is most unseemly , aucl contrary to Masonic rule and practice , thus to bring before the public , affairs with ivhich none can be concerned

but the A'urious Lodges , and Avhich ought most strictly to be confined to them . The impropriety of the . course pursued is in this instance tho greater , because , though tho writer must have been aware for several days of Uro . Drayton ' s kind intention , ho delayed the publication of his letter till yesterday morning , ivhen no opportunity for reply coulcl be given till , after the performance , the attendance at which it was intended to influence ancl injure . The W . M . of tho Sussex Loclge is respectfully rcmiuclcdthat' those who live in glass houses should nofc throw stones ;'

, aucl that if- disputes among members of the Craffc were commonly made subjects of public animadversion , he himself might have been subject to severe strictures in more instances than one , by those who have higher regard for what is Masonically correct than he appears to have , aud who trust to time aucl circumstances to show who and what is right . The impropriety of comments in the public print . ; restrains me from following a bad example , by entering on the points mentioned by the writer , ivhiob . may easily be contravened ; indeed they arc so palpable , even

to a profane , that such a step is perhaps uiiucccssary . " The generosity of ! 3 ro . Drayton cannot but be worthy of all praise ; and it is most unfortunate , that immediately after his initiation into the Craffc , anything should occur to diminish his respect for it ; and that , too , arising from extraneous circumstances in Avhich lie lias mi concern . Wishing Bro . Drayton every success cm the other side of the Atlantic , and hoping that more extended knowledge of Freemasonry will tend to remove any unfavourable impression now received , ' ' I am , yours respectfully , " A FllEKMASOX , ' Jersey , Jtuic 1-U / u 1859 . " > sot a member of Lodge La Cesaree . "

[•'•' The letter to which otlr correspondent refers , has been sent to us for publication , but we see no object to be gained by giving it a place in our columns—indeed , ive think that the writer will afterwards see reason to thank us for not insertinc ; it-. —Eel . " ] Last evening a private meeting of nearly thirty Masons and others ivas held , in order to express to Bro . Drayton their sympathy under this very vexatious occurrenceand to oiler to him an addressinscribed on vellum

, , , which may serve as a memento of their gratitude and estimation of the value of his services . Bro . Katier , the Orator , was deputed to make tlie presentation , which he prefaced by an eloquent speech . Bro . . Drayton replied most feelingly , and assured his friends that be should at once endeavour to discard the matter , as far as possible , from his recollection . 1 am , dear Sir and Brother , veins faithfully and fraternally , Jersey , June Ibtfi , 1859 . A I \ M . AND PAST ' PKOY . S . G . W .