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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ar00700
Two amusing instances of the intolerance which reigns about Freemasonry in France are found in the last Chaine d'Union . One is a long extract from the Journal d'Indre et Loire to prove that all Freemasons are , and must be , Republicans . The
worthy Editor is evidently not up in the history of French Freemasonry , or else he would know that it has never , until quite recently , professed any sympathy with Republicanism , much less Communism . ft was originally Royalist , if anything . After the
" Reign of Terror " it became Napoleonic , and , after NAPOLEON ' fall , it was aga n Royalist as much as anything . Eut the truth is , that Freemasonry proper is Masonic , and only Masonic , and knows nothing of " isms , " or "ologies . " It
obeys the laws of the country , whatever form the government may take . This has been the " crux " of French Freemasonry , always dominated by the "Regime" of the hour . The other point is that the " Ordre et Liberte " of Caen is shocked that the
Prefect , M . GRAVIER , is a Freemason . We are , however , bound to remark that the Freemasons in France , by silly speeches and childish demonstrations , often seem as if they wished , by their professions and proceedings , to drive all reli g ious and moderate men out of their ranks .
* * WK understand , and it will be a matter of great rejoicing to all the subscribers of the Girls' School , that , in pursuance of a previous resolution , it will be
remembered , on Thursday by the House Committee , that Lyncombc House is ready for the reception of twenty-five children , and that , therefore , forty-two g irls instead of seventeen will be elected at the Quarterly Court , October oth .
WE publish elsewhere a curious so called " Kxposure of Freemasonry " of 1723 , which our Bro . GOULD has kindly sent us , and we shall make all our
brethren heartil y laugh at its excessive absurdity . It has , however , for Masonic students and Masonic Archxologists not a few points of interest . It seems to be a compilation from several well-known MSS . j .
* * OUR excellent correspondent " REVIRESCO , " as will be seen elsewhere , wishes us to withdraw the phrase " special pleading" used in one of our leaders , as regards the controversy on the status
of Grand Officers , & c , and then proposes himself to continue the discussion . As Freemasons we wish always to be fair , and if any of our readers profess to be hurt in their feelings by the words " special pleading " we gladly withdraw them . We
need hardly , we think , remark to so hardened a controversialist as " REVIRESCO " that the quotation he alludes to is a mistake and ought not to have appeared , but as they say , " in love and controversy all is fair , " so we excuse his making the most of our little error .
Original Correspondence.
Original Correspondence .
[ We do not hold ourselves responsible for , or even approving of , the opinions expressed by our correspondents , hut we wish in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain neccssarv limits—free discussion . ]
THE GRAND OFFICERS * "TOAST . " To the Editor ofthe "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I notice in your "leader" to-day another defence of the system in vogue of late as to Provincial and District Grand Masters responding to the toast of the "Grand Officers . "
As you know , I do not agree with you on the subject , and I am quite willing to consider the matter most fully , provided the statement of " special pleading" on my part , and those who think with me , is withdrawn . In other words , we all start fairly , and he wins who produces the evidence and arguments that have most weight ! Your "leader'I is based on a wrong foundation , as ' the " Book not
i \ i < - "" it ! ons noes say that when the Grand Master is absent " the lodge shall be ruled by the Grand Officer or Provincial Grand Officer next in rank , " & c , but ast Grand Officer . Our Bro . ¦ ' Bayard " having opened thequestion ( whoever he may he ) , and having ably sustained his position , / am not anxious to have a long chat thereon , nut really it has always seemed to me that , the toast of Grand Ofiicers" means the Grand Ofiicers invested ouring the year , and , failing them , any so invested in previous years .
c t REVIRESCO . Sept . 25 . I « iv '" freeI 3 ' admit any letters on the subject , and eter Reviresco" to our leader . —ED . F . M . J
Original Correspondence.
THE STATE OF FREEMASONRY IN FRANCE . To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — I think that it is well from time to time , in your widely-spread pages , to bring before the readers the " status " of Freemasonry , whether local or general , particular or universal , as we all therefrom , as it appears to me ,
are often able to learn prevailing lessons of wisdom , caution , moderation , and loyalty , as the case may be . Just now , especially abroad , Freemasonry is in a state of " fermentation , " in a position of extreme delicacy , difficulty , and danger , and all brought about by the rash proceedings of the Grand Orient of France , which has lighted the "torch " of " revolution" in things Masonic , and has given an impetus
and an encouragement to " lovers of change and " fautors of folly" everywhere . Hence we hear from time to time ill-omened outcries of agitation and alterations in this or that jurisdiction , and we in England , lovers of peace , haters of disturbance , contented with the great and living principles of Freemasonry , when properly maintained and sensibly applied , deeply
grieve when we land in France or Belgium , and seek "Masonic temples , " and find what a very " parody " these professions and practice seem to be on all that we have been taught so carefully to guard , to proclaim , to develope , and to revere in England . I take up , for instance , the Chaine d'Union , a French magazine , most ably edited by Bro . Hubert , of Masonic
celebrity anei-Masonic worth , and I find that the evil spirit of agitation and destructiveness has taken even firm hold of the " Rite Ecossais . " Not content with having created a " schism "and set up a spurious and illegal Grand Lodge , so-called "Symbolical , " ( I am speaking Masonically ) , the wire-pullers and manipulators of the Masonic revolutionary caucus have induced the Grand Loge Centrale to pass a
vote rendering the ascription to the Most High " facultatif , " ( that is to say , purely voluntary according to choice ) , and calling on the Grand Conseil , for the " sake of conscience , " to impress this view on other bodies , and to carry it out themselves . Let us note Bro . Hubert's ominous words in reference to the revolution— "We shall have very soon in France but the Masonic obedience of the Rite of
Memphis , which maintains firmly , resolutely in its prescribed formulae , the declaration of belief of God and the immortality of the soul . " This is pleasant news , I [ think , for us English Masons , and especially the members of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite . Even now no prayers are used , no Bible is to be seen in the lodges of the Rite Ecossais ; but the work
begins and ends in the name of I ' . G . A . O . T . U . Surely this is a very serious state of affairs , and calls , I think , strongly on the authorities of the English Ancient and Accepted Rite in Golden-square to use their influence with the French Grand Conseil at Paris not to allow a " consummation so devoutly " not "to be wished for " by all who love Freemasonry . Yours very fraternally , » A WANDERING FREEMASON .
THE UN-MASONIC TRIAL . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I heartily congratulate Bro . Voi g t on the very great improvement he'has made in mastering the English language , as evinced in his letter to you dated 20 th inst ., and since I heard his utterances in the witness box at Leeds on 10 th August last . Then his acquaintance with our
language was so limited , that it evoked the sympathy of the judge ; whilst now he is able to express himself with a freedom which is simply astonishing-. I wish also to emulate the magnanimity with which , as the triumphant victor in a fight which has added to his lucrative earnings the tremendous sum of one farthing , he declines to enter upon " a wordy war " with | a " defeated iitigant ; " and I will
endeavour , therefore , to make my repl y to his subtle " epistle " both concise , clear , and conclusive . In the first place , I never knew till I read it in what I will call " Bro . yoigt's First Epistle to the Freemasons , " that he had obtained the " express permission of the Provincial Masonic authorities" for the issue of his writ of action against Bros . Carr , Laking , and myself . And I
should have been more astonished than I am at this statement had I not a suspicion that neither Lord Zetland , the P . G . M . for the N . and E . Ridings of Yorkshire , nor his Deputy , Bro . Dr . Bell , will be found tobeincluded amongst the " Provincial Masonic authorities " to whom Bro . Voigt so obscurely refers . Secondly , 1 have to say that Bro . Voigt's success in his demurrers to our statement of defence was a partial ,
and not a complete one , as he appears to me to insinuate , and that he did not at any time abandon the action , as he apparently wishes your readers to infer . If it was ever " abandoned " by him , how came it that it remained on the records of the court in which he had entered it . ' No , like a would-be magician , who , whilst he is addressinir his audience , is at the same time deceiving them , Bro . Voitrt
endeavours , in my estimation , to throw dust in the eyes of the Craft by a " suppressio veri , " which naturally carries with it a " suggestio falsi . " My version , however , of the truth of the matter is as follows : After his partial success in the Queen's Bench , and after his appeal to his P . G . M ., Lord Zetland ( which had been there forced on him , so to speak , by Mr . Justice Field ) , had been decided airainst him . Bro .
Voigt thought fit , for reasons best known to himself , to hold his hand . This was in 1 S 77 , whilst I was in India , but towards the end of 1 S 7 S I was made aware that the action had not been withdrawn , and that Bro . Voigt could proceed with it at any moment . I was also called upon for the payment of expenses in connection with my defence to this action , which amounted to about / So . After I had settled
these , at the end of 1 S 79 , I naturally looked for their repayment to the author of the action which had entailed them upon me , and so I then called upon Bro . Voigt to pay my costs , or try the action he had commenced and obliged me to defend , as I hoped to get the verdict . The " responsibility" of the action thus lies , 1 maintain , solely with Bro . Voigt , and not with me and my
co-defendants , who also pressed him to proceed with it . Acting on the advice of his solicitors , as it appears from their letter to him , dated 23 rd January last , he elected to proceed with the action , rather than reimburse to us the costs he had wantonly imposed upon us , in the full hope , I imagine , that " instead of our obtaining the costs which we impudently demanded , we should have to pay him both damages and costs . " What has been the result ? The jury , in defiance of the Judge ' s summing up , awarded him damages assessed at
Original Correspondence.
one farthing , but the Judge has refused to grant him the costs he coveted and asked for . As to Bro . Voigt's expectation that the " Masonic authorities " intend bringing us " face to face , " I can onl y say with regret , that the communications I have had with them in reference to this matter do not lead me to confirm that expectation : though I much wish they had interfered
between us , as they ought to have done , in my humble opinion , long since . They cannot , at any rate , plead ignorance of the proceedings which have taken place , for Bro . Voigt asserts that some " authority " sanctioned , as I understand him , the issue of the writ ; and , if I mistake not , the fact of the commencement of the action was dul y reported by the Secretary of Lodge Alexandra ; whilst I
have on several occasions communicated on this subject with various " Masonic authorities . " In conclusion , let me urge Bro . Voigt to instruct his lawyers to submit his demands against me with as little further delay as possible for taxation ; assuring him that whenever he publishes his appeal to his " brother Masons " for help to meet his losses in this action , I shall make no
attempt to dissuade them from doing so , not even " after the public enquiry shall have been held" - to which he so mysteriously allueies as pending . And I beg leave to notify that I am preparing a history , from my point of view , of all the circumstances which led and have reference to this " un-Masonic trial , " in which will be included the whole story of the " Three Blackballs , "
and a verbatim report of the Judge ' s summing up . Then , if after reading this , my "brethren " listen to the voice of the charmer , Bro . Voigt , and refuse to extend to me the aid to which I consider myself entitled in simple justice to receive from them , I must look for assistance from those who , though they are not related to me by any " mystic ties , " may be disposed to act towards me as friends in deed ,
instead of playing the part of brothers only in words ; and with this announcement I desire to withdraw , for the present , from further correspondence on this matter . Thanking you for the space you have alloted to me in your columns , as well as for your kind sympathy , and apologising for the unavoidable length of this letter , I am , dear Sir and Brother , very faithfully and fraternally yours ,
TUDOR TREVOR , P . M ., & c . Kendal , 2 Sth September .
THE LATE GRAND SECRETARY . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — As I believe some friend of the late Bro . Hervey , our much-esteemed Grand Secretary , is compiling his life ,
it is just possible that a letter he wrote to me in reply to some questions regarding the "Red Apron" Lodges , from such a Masonic authority as he was , may possess an historic interest , affording- useful information of some of the legends of the Craft ; if so I shall be happy to forward to you a copy of the said letter . I remain , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally ,
HENRY GODFREY , P . M . 82 , Sep . 24 th . Past S . G . W . Gloucestershire . [ We shall be glad to receive it . —ED . F . M . ]
ITINERANT MASONS . To the Editor ofthe " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — My best thanks are due to our Bro . " Secretary S 04 , " a correspondent in your issue of the 1 ith inst ., for his timely apprisal . I was , on Friday last , visited by this evidently itinerant Mason , but , being very busy just then , requested him to see me later in the day . On reflecting it occurred to me
the applicant bore a very close resemblance to the minute description given by Bro . "Secretary 804 , " and on referring to same found it identical . However , the unworthy fellow no doubt " smelt a rat , " and thought it discretional to forego his appointment . In conclusion I beg to endorse most cordially the comments contained in Bro . " Secretary S 04 " P . S . to his letter . I amdear Sir and Brother , yours very fraternally ,
, WILLIAM A . GOSS , J ., Ellacombe , Torquay , I . P . M . 1402 . Sept . 26 th .
THE NEXT ELECTIONS . Dear Bro . Kenning , — Thanking some worthy friends and brethren of mine for their voting papers , 1 beg to ask any of my brethren who have votes to spare kindly to forward them to me , and they will seasonably and forcibly oblige , yours fraternally , A . F . A . WOODFORD .
Mark Masonry.
Mark Masonry .
PLUMSTEAD . —Excelsior Lodge ( No . 226 ) . — The above lodge held its usual quarterly meeting on Tuesday , the 2 Sth ult ., at the Lord Raglan Hotel , Burrageroad , Plumstead , Bro . James Smythe , W . M .. and G . S . O . Kent , in the chair . Amongst those present were Bros . C . Coupland , P . M . and G . M . O . Kent . ; D . Deeves , S . W . ( pro tern . ) and G . S . Br . Kent ; Eugene Sweny , J . W . ( pro
tern . ) and P . P . G . A . D . Kent ; II . Shaw , M . O . and P . P . G . D . C . Kent ; the Rev . C . Solbe , S . O . and P . G . Chaplain Kent ; D . C . Capon , J . O . and P . P . G . Steward Kent ; G . Kennedy , Sec . and P . P . A . G . Sec . Kent ; C . Buckland ; W . Moulds , I . G . ; J . Purnell , J . T . Ovenden , J . T . Hosgood , J . Anderson , VV . Tucker , T . W . Kirkbridge , J . Baker , 106 ; J . Poole , 10 G ; T . Brooks , 10 C ; 1 . 1 . Gould ,
iog ; and C . Jolly ( Freemason ) . There being no candidates for advancement , the bye-laws were subjected to revision , and , after a lengthy discussion , several important alterations were made in them , which will be submitted for confirmation at the next meeting , and then to Grand Lodge for its approval . The next business was to consider a proposition made by the W . M . that this lodge should entertain the Grand Lodge
of Kent at their annual meeting in November next , and , as it was cordially received by the members present , it was unanimously resolved that an invitation should be sent to Bro . the Rev . T . Robinson , Provincial Grand Master , and the rest of the Grand Officers , asking them to honour the Excelsior Lodge by accepting the above invitation . There being no other business before the lodge , " Hearty good wishes " were given by the brethren and visitors , and then the lodge was closed in due form .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ar00700
Two amusing instances of the intolerance which reigns about Freemasonry in France are found in the last Chaine d'Union . One is a long extract from the Journal d'Indre et Loire to prove that all Freemasons are , and must be , Republicans . The
worthy Editor is evidently not up in the history of French Freemasonry , or else he would know that it has never , until quite recently , professed any sympathy with Republicanism , much less Communism . ft was originally Royalist , if anything . After the
" Reign of Terror " it became Napoleonic , and , after NAPOLEON ' fall , it was aga n Royalist as much as anything . Eut the truth is , that Freemasonry proper is Masonic , and only Masonic , and knows nothing of " isms , " or "ologies . " It
obeys the laws of the country , whatever form the government may take . This has been the " crux " of French Freemasonry , always dominated by the "Regime" of the hour . The other point is that the " Ordre et Liberte " of Caen is shocked that the
Prefect , M . GRAVIER , is a Freemason . We are , however , bound to remark that the Freemasons in France , by silly speeches and childish demonstrations , often seem as if they wished , by their professions and proceedings , to drive all reli g ious and moderate men out of their ranks .
* * WK understand , and it will be a matter of great rejoicing to all the subscribers of the Girls' School , that , in pursuance of a previous resolution , it will be
remembered , on Thursday by the House Committee , that Lyncombc House is ready for the reception of twenty-five children , and that , therefore , forty-two g irls instead of seventeen will be elected at the Quarterly Court , October oth .
WE publish elsewhere a curious so called " Kxposure of Freemasonry " of 1723 , which our Bro . GOULD has kindly sent us , and we shall make all our
brethren heartil y laugh at its excessive absurdity . It has , however , for Masonic students and Masonic Archxologists not a few points of interest . It seems to be a compilation from several well-known MSS . j .
* * OUR excellent correspondent " REVIRESCO , " as will be seen elsewhere , wishes us to withdraw the phrase " special pleading" used in one of our leaders , as regards the controversy on the status
of Grand Officers , & c , and then proposes himself to continue the discussion . As Freemasons we wish always to be fair , and if any of our readers profess to be hurt in their feelings by the words " special pleading " we gladly withdraw them . We
need hardly , we think , remark to so hardened a controversialist as " REVIRESCO " that the quotation he alludes to is a mistake and ought not to have appeared , but as they say , " in love and controversy all is fair , " so we excuse his making the most of our little error .
Original Correspondence.
Original Correspondence .
[ We do not hold ourselves responsible for , or even approving of , the opinions expressed by our correspondents , hut we wish in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain neccssarv limits—free discussion . ]
THE GRAND OFFICERS * "TOAST . " To the Editor ofthe "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I notice in your "leader" to-day another defence of the system in vogue of late as to Provincial and District Grand Masters responding to the toast of the "Grand Officers . "
As you know , I do not agree with you on the subject , and I am quite willing to consider the matter most fully , provided the statement of " special pleading" on my part , and those who think with me , is withdrawn . In other words , we all start fairly , and he wins who produces the evidence and arguments that have most weight ! Your "leader'I is based on a wrong foundation , as ' the " Book not
i \ i < - "" it ! ons noes say that when the Grand Master is absent " the lodge shall be ruled by the Grand Officer or Provincial Grand Officer next in rank , " & c , but ast Grand Officer . Our Bro . ¦ ' Bayard " having opened thequestion ( whoever he may he ) , and having ably sustained his position , / am not anxious to have a long chat thereon , nut really it has always seemed to me that , the toast of Grand Ofiicers" means the Grand Ofiicers invested ouring the year , and , failing them , any so invested in previous years .
c t REVIRESCO . Sept . 25 . I « iv '" freeI 3 ' admit any letters on the subject , and eter Reviresco" to our leader . —ED . F . M . J
Original Correspondence.
THE STATE OF FREEMASONRY IN FRANCE . To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — I think that it is well from time to time , in your widely-spread pages , to bring before the readers the " status " of Freemasonry , whether local or general , particular or universal , as we all therefrom , as it appears to me ,
are often able to learn prevailing lessons of wisdom , caution , moderation , and loyalty , as the case may be . Just now , especially abroad , Freemasonry is in a state of " fermentation , " in a position of extreme delicacy , difficulty , and danger , and all brought about by the rash proceedings of the Grand Orient of France , which has lighted the "torch " of " revolution" in things Masonic , and has given an impetus
and an encouragement to " lovers of change and " fautors of folly" everywhere . Hence we hear from time to time ill-omened outcries of agitation and alterations in this or that jurisdiction , and we in England , lovers of peace , haters of disturbance , contented with the great and living principles of Freemasonry , when properly maintained and sensibly applied , deeply
grieve when we land in France or Belgium , and seek "Masonic temples , " and find what a very " parody " these professions and practice seem to be on all that we have been taught so carefully to guard , to proclaim , to develope , and to revere in England . I take up , for instance , the Chaine d'Union , a French magazine , most ably edited by Bro . Hubert , of Masonic
celebrity anei-Masonic worth , and I find that the evil spirit of agitation and destructiveness has taken even firm hold of the " Rite Ecossais . " Not content with having created a " schism "and set up a spurious and illegal Grand Lodge , so-called "Symbolical , " ( I am speaking Masonically ) , the wire-pullers and manipulators of the Masonic revolutionary caucus have induced the Grand Loge Centrale to pass a
vote rendering the ascription to the Most High " facultatif , " ( that is to say , purely voluntary according to choice ) , and calling on the Grand Conseil , for the " sake of conscience , " to impress this view on other bodies , and to carry it out themselves . Let us note Bro . Hubert's ominous words in reference to the revolution— "We shall have very soon in France but the Masonic obedience of the Rite of
Memphis , which maintains firmly , resolutely in its prescribed formulae , the declaration of belief of God and the immortality of the soul . " This is pleasant news , I [ think , for us English Masons , and especially the members of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite . Even now no prayers are used , no Bible is to be seen in the lodges of the Rite Ecossais ; but the work
begins and ends in the name of I ' . G . A . O . T . U . Surely this is a very serious state of affairs , and calls , I think , strongly on the authorities of the English Ancient and Accepted Rite in Golden-square to use their influence with the French Grand Conseil at Paris not to allow a " consummation so devoutly " not "to be wished for " by all who love Freemasonry . Yours very fraternally , » A WANDERING FREEMASON .
THE UN-MASONIC TRIAL . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I heartily congratulate Bro . Voi g t on the very great improvement he'has made in mastering the English language , as evinced in his letter to you dated 20 th inst ., and since I heard his utterances in the witness box at Leeds on 10 th August last . Then his acquaintance with our
language was so limited , that it evoked the sympathy of the judge ; whilst now he is able to express himself with a freedom which is simply astonishing-. I wish also to emulate the magnanimity with which , as the triumphant victor in a fight which has added to his lucrative earnings the tremendous sum of one farthing , he declines to enter upon " a wordy war " with | a " defeated iitigant ; " and I will
endeavour , therefore , to make my repl y to his subtle " epistle " both concise , clear , and conclusive . In the first place , I never knew till I read it in what I will call " Bro . yoigt's First Epistle to the Freemasons , " that he had obtained the " express permission of the Provincial Masonic authorities" for the issue of his writ of action against Bros . Carr , Laking , and myself . And I
should have been more astonished than I am at this statement had I not a suspicion that neither Lord Zetland , the P . G . M . for the N . and E . Ridings of Yorkshire , nor his Deputy , Bro . Dr . Bell , will be found tobeincluded amongst the " Provincial Masonic authorities " to whom Bro . Voigt so obscurely refers . Secondly , 1 have to say that Bro . Voigt's success in his demurrers to our statement of defence was a partial ,
and not a complete one , as he appears to me to insinuate , and that he did not at any time abandon the action , as he apparently wishes your readers to infer . If it was ever " abandoned " by him , how came it that it remained on the records of the court in which he had entered it . ' No , like a would-be magician , who , whilst he is addressinir his audience , is at the same time deceiving them , Bro . Voitrt
endeavours , in my estimation , to throw dust in the eyes of the Craft by a " suppressio veri , " which naturally carries with it a " suggestio falsi . " My version , however , of the truth of the matter is as follows : After his partial success in the Queen's Bench , and after his appeal to his P . G . M ., Lord Zetland ( which had been there forced on him , so to speak , by Mr . Justice Field ) , had been decided airainst him . Bro .
Voigt thought fit , for reasons best known to himself , to hold his hand . This was in 1 S 77 , whilst I was in India , but towards the end of 1 S 7 S I was made aware that the action had not been withdrawn , and that Bro . Voigt could proceed with it at any moment . I was also called upon for the payment of expenses in connection with my defence to this action , which amounted to about / So . After I had settled
these , at the end of 1 S 79 , I naturally looked for their repayment to the author of the action which had entailed them upon me , and so I then called upon Bro . Voigt to pay my costs , or try the action he had commenced and obliged me to defend , as I hoped to get the verdict . The " responsibility" of the action thus lies , 1 maintain , solely with Bro . Voigt , and not with me and my
co-defendants , who also pressed him to proceed with it . Acting on the advice of his solicitors , as it appears from their letter to him , dated 23 rd January last , he elected to proceed with the action , rather than reimburse to us the costs he had wantonly imposed upon us , in the full hope , I imagine , that " instead of our obtaining the costs which we impudently demanded , we should have to pay him both damages and costs . " What has been the result ? The jury , in defiance of the Judge ' s summing up , awarded him damages assessed at
Original Correspondence.
one farthing , but the Judge has refused to grant him the costs he coveted and asked for . As to Bro . Voigt's expectation that the " Masonic authorities " intend bringing us " face to face , " I can onl y say with regret , that the communications I have had with them in reference to this matter do not lead me to confirm that expectation : though I much wish they had interfered
between us , as they ought to have done , in my humble opinion , long since . They cannot , at any rate , plead ignorance of the proceedings which have taken place , for Bro . Voigt asserts that some " authority " sanctioned , as I understand him , the issue of the writ ; and , if I mistake not , the fact of the commencement of the action was dul y reported by the Secretary of Lodge Alexandra ; whilst I
have on several occasions communicated on this subject with various " Masonic authorities . " In conclusion , let me urge Bro . Voigt to instruct his lawyers to submit his demands against me with as little further delay as possible for taxation ; assuring him that whenever he publishes his appeal to his " brother Masons " for help to meet his losses in this action , I shall make no
attempt to dissuade them from doing so , not even " after the public enquiry shall have been held" - to which he so mysteriously allueies as pending . And I beg leave to notify that I am preparing a history , from my point of view , of all the circumstances which led and have reference to this " un-Masonic trial , " in which will be included the whole story of the " Three Blackballs , "
and a verbatim report of the Judge ' s summing up . Then , if after reading this , my "brethren " listen to the voice of the charmer , Bro . Voigt , and refuse to extend to me the aid to which I consider myself entitled in simple justice to receive from them , I must look for assistance from those who , though they are not related to me by any " mystic ties , " may be disposed to act towards me as friends in deed ,
instead of playing the part of brothers only in words ; and with this announcement I desire to withdraw , for the present , from further correspondence on this matter . Thanking you for the space you have alloted to me in your columns , as well as for your kind sympathy , and apologising for the unavoidable length of this letter , I am , dear Sir and Brother , very faithfully and fraternally yours ,
TUDOR TREVOR , P . M ., & c . Kendal , 2 Sth September .
THE LATE GRAND SECRETARY . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — As I believe some friend of the late Bro . Hervey , our much-esteemed Grand Secretary , is compiling his life ,
it is just possible that a letter he wrote to me in reply to some questions regarding the "Red Apron" Lodges , from such a Masonic authority as he was , may possess an historic interest , affording- useful information of some of the legends of the Craft ; if so I shall be happy to forward to you a copy of the said letter . I remain , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally ,
HENRY GODFREY , P . M . 82 , Sep . 24 th . Past S . G . W . Gloucestershire . [ We shall be glad to receive it . —ED . F . M . ]
ITINERANT MASONS . To the Editor ofthe " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — My best thanks are due to our Bro . " Secretary S 04 , " a correspondent in your issue of the 1 ith inst ., for his timely apprisal . I was , on Friday last , visited by this evidently itinerant Mason , but , being very busy just then , requested him to see me later in the day . On reflecting it occurred to me
the applicant bore a very close resemblance to the minute description given by Bro . "Secretary 804 , " and on referring to same found it identical . However , the unworthy fellow no doubt " smelt a rat , " and thought it discretional to forego his appointment . In conclusion I beg to endorse most cordially the comments contained in Bro . " Secretary S 04 " P . S . to his letter . I amdear Sir and Brother , yours very fraternally ,
, WILLIAM A . GOSS , J ., Ellacombe , Torquay , I . P . M . 1402 . Sept . 26 th .
THE NEXT ELECTIONS . Dear Bro . Kenning , — Thanking some worthy friends and brethren of mine for their voting papers , 1 beg to ask any of my brethren who have votes to spare kindly to forward them to me , and they will seasonably and forcibly oblige , yours fraternally , A . F . A . WOODFORD .
Mark Masonry.
Mark Masonry .
PLUMSTEAD . —Excelsior Lodge ( No . 226 ) . — The above lodge held its usual quarterly meeting on Tuesday , the 2 Sth ult ., at the Lord Raglan Hotel , Burrageroad , Plumstead , Bro . James Smythe , W . M .. and G . S . O . Kent , in the chair . Amongst those present were Bros . C . Coupland , P . M . and G . M . O . Kent . ; D . Deeves , S . W . ( pro tern . ) and G . S . Br . Kent ; Eugene Sweny , J . W . ( pro
tern . ) and P . P . G . A . D . Kent ; II . Shaw , M . O . and P . P . G . D . C . Kent ; the Rev . C . Solbe , S . O . and P . G . Chaplain Kent ; D . C . Capon , J . O . and P . P . G . Steward Kent ; G . Kennedy , Sec . and P . P . A . G . Sec . Kent ; C . Buckland ; W . Moulds , I . G . ; J . Purnell , J . T . Ovenden , J . T . Hosgood , J . Anderson , VV . Tucker , T . W . Kirkbridge , J . Baker , 106 ; J . Poole , 10 G ; T . Brooks , 10 C ; 1 . 1 . Gould ,
iog ; and C . Jolly ( Freemason ) . There being no candidates for advancement , the bye-laws were subjected to revision , and , after a lengthy discussion , several important alterations were made in them , which will be submitted for confirmation at the next meeting , and then to Grand Lodge for its approval . The next business was to consider a proposition made by the W . M . that this lodge should entertain the Grand Lodge
of Kent at their annual meeting in November next , and , as it was cordially received by the members present , it was unanimously resolved that an invitation should be sent to Bro . the Rev . T . Robinson , Provincial Grand Master , and the rest of the Grand Officers , asking them to honour the Excelsior Lodge by accepting the above invitation . There being no other business before the lodge , " Hearty good wishes " were given by the brethren and visitors , and then the lodge was closed in due form .