Correspondence.

good Freemason without believing in fables of no value for the nineteenth century . If the writer in the MAGAZINE is really opposed to the doctrine " I have said so , you must not think otherwise , " then he should not base his assertions on

mere assertion ; he should , on the contrary , publish his works , or at least some lectures , on the history of the Craft , which give any proof of the high antiquity of it , and contradict the historical labours of tiie German fraternity , labours of thirty years'

conscientious researches . Modesty is an ornament of a true Freemason , and therefore it should be practised . A modest and well-informed brother must speak with esteem of . works , whose value is acknowledged by the Avhole Masonic fraternity with the exception of England , where they are unknown , or at least not studied .

The fraternity of Freemasons and the German building corporations of mediteval times have in common—1 , the government ofthe society by means of a certain number of officers ; 2 , the exclusion of all profanations from their meetings ; 3 , the privileges of the sons of brethren ; 4 , the conditions of

initiation ; 5 , the brotherly equality of all fellows ; G , assistance ; 7 , their own jurisdiction and the form of justice ; 8 , the opening aud closing of the meetings ; 9 , the ceremonies of initiation ; 10 , the examination of visiting brethren , and many other

points , grips , words , & c . The " Constitutions " of the operative guilds are the bases of the " Constitutions" of Anderson , who asserts that the institution rests on the old articles and points . The four loclges ivhich constituted the first Grand Lodge , 1717 , in

London , were lodges of operative Masons , with some exceptions . A brother who denies that the Masonic fraternity is derived from the fraternities of operative Masons , denies the whole history of the Craft , and puts aside all reliable historical documents .

As I am not versed in the English language , I hope every brother will excuse me if have not used the right words in every place . I take this occasion to thank once more most sincerely all English brethren who have received me so cordially and fraternally , especially the brethren at Hull , Selby , York , Leeds , Swillington , and London .

I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , J . G . FINDEL . Editor of the " Bauhutte , " and author of " A History of Ereemasonry . " Leipzig , July 15 , 1864 .

[ Bro . Findel , ivho we regret we did not meet when he ivas in London , must excuse us if we do not altogether agree with him in regard to the antiquity of ur various ceremonies . —ED . E . M . l

The Masonic Mirror.

THE MASONIC MIRROR .

MASONIC MEM . At the Lodge of Benevolence on Wednesday , the 21 st July , Bro . John Udall , P . G . 0 ., in the chair , seven petitioners were relieved with sums amounting in tho aggregate to 3336 . THE BOY'S SCHOOL .

The quarterly general court of governors and subscribers of this admirable institution was held , on the 18 th inst ., at the offices , 16 A , Great Queen-street , Lincoln's-inn-fielils , Bro . Symonds in the chair . The Secretary ( Bro . Binckes ) read the minutes of the last quarterly general court , ivhich were unanimously confirmed , and

be also read for information those of the general committee of Ma }' , June , and July . The only interesting portion of the latter consisted of petitions sent in for aid from the widows or relatives of deceased members ofthe Graft for the admission of their sons to the Institution . In a considerable number of cases aid was afforded , and in others the boys will take their chance for

admission at the election in October next . In answer to a question from one of the brethren present , The Secretary said that the entire sum required for the building of the Boys' School was £ 25 , 000 , in respect of which £ 5 , 000 had been already paid , ancl there remained a balance in hand of about £ 10 , 000 , so that £ ' 10 , 000 more is wanting to complete

the building , which will afford accommodation to about 150 boys . There is little doubt that the proverbial liberality of the Craft will supply this sum . There was no doubt , lie said , that much of the educational portion of the building would be ready for the boys in October next . It was contemplated to have a grand bazaar and fancy fair in furtherance of the objects of the

Institution , and Bliss Burdett Coutts would take an active part in tbe matter . He ( the Secretary ) and nineteen others at a former meeting , held a few days since , had undertaken to raise £ 50 each , and had put down their names for £ 5 5 s . a-piece as a commencement . A cordial vote of thanks to chairman closed the proceedings .

Metropolitan.

METROPOLITAN .

STRONG MAX LODGE ( HO . 45 ) . —The summer festival of this lodge took place on the 21 st inst ., at Bro . Middleton ' s , the Greyhound , Dulwich . To the Craft the worthy host ' s capabilities as a caterer are well known , and to say that , on this occasion , ho more than equalled himself , is though bare justice , the highest possible praise . The S . VV ., Bro . Booser , provided an agreeable surprise to the ladies and brethren assembled , he having engaged a party of four Tyrolean minstrelswhoclothed

, , in their national costume , delighted both the eyes and the ears of the company . Those musicians , new to England , will , before long , make their mark in the musical world . The AV . M . was honoured by tho presence of several brethren , who , at great personal inconvenience , attended to pay a mark of respect to their mother lodge and its presiding officer . After a day spent in pure and unalloyed enjoyment the party returned to town ,

the W . M . receiving the congratulations of the ladies and brethren for his management of the most successful summer festival ever held by the Strong Man Lodge . YAEBOHOUGH LODGE ( KTO . 554 ) . —A recreation meeting of this lodge was held at the Crystal Palace on Thursday , the 7 th inst ., Bro . J . XV . Can-, the W . M ., in the chair , supported hy a goodly array of Past Masters , visitors , and officers of the lodge . It is pleasing to observe the gradual extension of the highly humanising and most agreeable innovation at Masonic lodge dinners , which is gradually taking place on festive