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Article THE LAST ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL OF THE BOYS' SCHOOL. ← Page 2 of 2 Article DUTCH FREEMASONRY. Page 1 of 1 Article DUTCH FREEMASONRY. Page 1 of 1 Article Original Correspondence. Page 1 of 1 Article Original Correspondence. Page 1 of 1 Article MASONIC GRAMMAR. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Last Anniversary Festival Of The Boys' School.
jas . 6 d . ; and No , 820 , Bro . Charles Hubbard , js eig hth , with £ 115 ios . ; No . 1777 , Bro . fj . B . Marshal ] , is ninth , with £ 105 ; No . 9 6 , Bro . W . V . Morgan , is tenth , with £ 103 19 s . ; and No . 6 j , Bro . G . T . Brown , is eleventh , with £ 100 . The remaining lodges vary from A ; 1 17 s . 6 d , the
highest , to ^ io 10 s ., the lowest . We 1 egret to notice so few lodges from ) 600 to 1 S 00 , and that only nineteen lodges are represented in the Metropolis and eight in the Provinces , in all twentyseven . This is all wrong , and is a point to which we ought to pay attention at once , because it is
indicative of coming evil to the Craft . In the provinces Kent heads the list with £ 604 ijs . < 5 d ., and is followed by Worcestershire , with £ . 5 80 jos . ; W . Yorkshire succeeds , with £ 400 ; and Gloucestershire is not far off , with £ 378 . Beiks and Bucks next draw near with /" age , 4 s ., of
which Bro . Dick Radclyffe brings up 4 , 131 16 s ., and is succeeded by Dorsetshire , very close at hand indeed , with , £ 295 2 s ., while Derbyshire comes next , with £ 277 2 s ; Sussex is not far off with £ 175 1 is ., and Staffordshire succeeds , with £ 216 6 s . 1 he Grand Lodge of Scotland remits an
^ 04 15 s . After interval , Hampshire and the Isle of Wi ght appear , with £ 173 5 s . ; Somersetshire forwards £ 134 8 s . ; Durham brings £ 13045 . 5 Middlesex is next , with £ 12275 . ; Suffolk has collected £ 112 7 s . ; and Essex is credited with £ 103 7 s . 6 d . The remaining
amounts vary fiom £ 97 2 s . Cd , in the hig hest , to £ 25 , the lowest . We do not deny that we could have wished the returns larger , but under the circumstances we have , we think , no right to complain , but rather much to be thankful for . We are aware that a large margin still remains of
general lodge and chapter support of the Charities , and of more earnest efforts for charity by some lodges , where a good deal is spent on " creature comforts , " more than perhaps ought to be spent . But , on the whole , we co not believe in lachnmose tones or a deprecatory spirit ,
and " content with honest efforts ' we think it well always to take a hopeful and manly view of things in this world in general , and in Masonic allaiis in particular . One fact is indeed indisputable , that we may all be proud of our Charities , and we are bound , above all , to thank those
worthy brethren of ours , who , year after year , " in season and out of season , " give most liberal and \ aluable support to our great Charities . If any of our readers aio cold or apathetic , doubting or languid in this good cause , we simply say " remember what others have done , go and do thou likewise . "
Dutch Freemasonry.
DUTCH FREEMASONRY .
According to our old antagonist and able Bro . Adrien Grimaux , that , of couise , being only his '' nom de plume , " in the Monde Maconiiiijuc , our good brethren in Holland are about to commit the same great " betise , " and the moral wrong which the French
Grand Orient has committed , and , are now plunged into the midst of a dubious contest for the revision of rituals . Accoiding to Bro . Grimaux ' s intelligent coirespondent from Amsterdam , in this revision no mention is henceforth to be made of T . G . A . O . T . U ., but then , the
correspondent goes on to add , this dubious and remarkable qualification of the proceeding , '' Mais d ' autre cote , ou ne consentera jamais a dormer entree aux atlrees , " but on the other side , they will never consent to grant admission to atheists . Why not ? when the formula of
avowal of belief in T . G . A . O . T . U . is suppressed . We do not piofess to understand this statement , or is it only , as the French say , " encore du jesuitisme ? " more Jesuitry . It seems that ihe Grand Orient of Holland wishes to retain the ascription to the glory of T . G . A . O . T . U .,
aud has sent a circular to its lodges asking them to join in a declaration calling on the Grand Orient of France not to persist in this step of erasure , as threatened by the movement party , a' ) d the ritual revision on hand in the French
Grand Orient . Err . Grimaux ' s correspondent tliinks that many of the Dutch ledges will not El gn this declaration . We are very Sony forthe i ^ utch Freemasons , and lament much to think ° f them playing " second fiddle " to an assembly 'ike the Grand Orient of France , which has
Dutch Freemasonry.
now lost its " prestige " and its authority Masonically , and which it is doubtiul if it has any Marronic " status . " Such a fact is more than saddening—it is humiliating . Like the Grand Lodges of America and Canada , we cannot recognize that tu be a legal Masonic
authority , or those to be lawfull y received Masons , by which and by whom the greit foundation truth of . cosmopolitan Masonry is openly disavowed , or ri gidly excluded from ritual and from teaching . Neither can we admit Masons
into our lodges initiated under such a Regime . Such a body is simply an unbelieving secret society , prejudicial to morals and good government , to the interests of society , and the welfare of Freemasonry .
Original Correspondence.
Original Correspondence .
[ Wn do not hold ourselves responsible for , or even approving of , the opinions expressed by our correspondents , bnt we wish in 1 spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . ]
THE REPORT OF THE CONSECRATION OF THE CLAPHAM LODGE . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I must respectfully but earnestly demur to the running commentary introduced by your reporter into the few remarks I made at the conseciation of the Clapham
Lodge in returning thanks for the Officers of Grand Lodge . In the first place I hold that it is scarcely becoming in a reporter to take such a self-sufficient line , on whatever side of a question his sympathies may lie . In the second place I dispute the accuracy of almost every statement he has been pleased to make .
It is in my humble opinion the province of a reporter to npoit what has been said , or if he thinks it worthless to omit it altogether , but it if not his function to suppress what has been said , and give instead thereof his own personal commentary , thus taking the place of judge , jury , and witness . Now . as to his statements : —
1 . Willi all due deference to him I contend my views on charity voting are not " peculiar , " but held by three men (¦ ut of every four who have no " vested interests " to serve , and have not been involved in the haphazard jobbery which the present system so manifestly fosters . 2 . I deny that these views are even " antagonistic to the Crnft at large ; " on the contiary , I assert that if Masons
were polled to-morrow , three . fourths would be found on the side of enquiry , justice , and mercy , and , therefore , opposed to the abuses of the present system . To one thing I can speak without hesitation that I know of dozens of influential Masons , holding high rank in the Craft , who have denounced these abuses in no measured terms , and who will before long speak out ( as 1 have dared to )
their minds upon this subject . 3 . Though the brethren present did not express any " concurrence " in the views put forth , I have j ct to learn that such silence meant dissent , and as to "disapprobation , " I certainly did not catch the faintest sound of it . I may add that in far the larger pioportion of Masonic meetings at which I have named the subject , the views I have
ventured to express have been received with loud concurrence and approval . 4 . I never even named the " Charity Organisation Society , " but simply stated that if any of the brethren happened to have opportunity to attend the annual meeting of the " Charity Voting Reform Association " next day they would hear from Lord Derby some instructive
statements on a subject , so deeply interesting to Masons . The " Alexanelra Palace meeting " was not in my mind when I named this , nor shall I stop to show which of the two meetings was likely to confer more dignity and real profit on Masonry . But I think I could do this , and easily too . And now , Dear sir and Brother , permit me to say that 1
shall always feel myself perfectly at liberty to express my opinions in eveiy assembly of Masons on any subject that is " good for Masonry in general , " or for the " lodge in particular " of which I may be a member , and no amount of sneer or perverse comment , either on the part of Secretaries or reporters , shall deter mc from having the honesty of my convictions , and expressing them too . Plain truth
must be evil spoken of , at least for a time-, and reform must ever encounter much opposition and obloquy , but bolh will , and must , eventually triumph , as in the case of the Royal Medical Benet olerrt College it has recently done , wherein 2770 as against 364 Govirnors endorsed our views , which were carried by resolution at thc annual meeting by five to one in the face of the Council , the majority of whom
were hostile to reform ; and so , please God , we shall have it in Masonry soon , and , while our votes remain , they will be stripped of those unjust , undignified , wasteful , and cruel accompaniments—polling days , exchanges , trafficking , and wholesale canvassing , which are " spots on our feasts of charity , " and on our chatity itself . I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , Jt . I . SIMPSON .
THE BOYS' AND GIRLS' SCHOOLS . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Permit me to call attention to a matter which I think will prove of great importance to the Craft generally , viz ., the suggestion of the M . W . Bro . the Earl of Rosslyn , as to the advisability of establishing a fund for the assistance of boys and girls after leaving our Institutions .
Original Correspondence.
This is not a new topic , as it has often been discussed by me , and , no doubt , many brethren . It has at last happily been brought prominently and gracefully before the brethren by the M . W . P . G . M . of Scotland , the Earl of Rosslyn , in his . speech at the Boys' Festival . As Chairman of the festival he remarked , ' I will tell you a little fault , anil am suro I have only to mention it to find it immediately
corrected . It is not impossible that at the end of their schooling career some of these boys may leave the school homeless and in need . It may be said that the good seed sown may bear fruit during their scholastic career , but it may also be said the fruit will perish for wai . t of cultivation at a later period . It may be that they leave the Institution to fall into evil courses and evil ways , and even to suffer
penury and poverty . This is the only blot I can find in your excellent Institution . " I think another blot his lordship has overlooked is the desirability of providing a sinking fund for the Institution , that they might be more independent of individual exertions , and net suffer from the vicissitudes of trade , hard times , & c . However , this is digressing . To return to the subject of his lordship ' s
remarks . I think he has struck a fiappy chord . There can be no doubt the children receive splendid educations , and are thoroughly cared for whilst in the Institutions , but is it not proved that the comfort and ease the children expeiience in their early years make it doubly hard to bear piivations when they have to face thc stern fight of life ? How often is it found that they arc dUcouraged and give
up , where others who from children have been nursed in the rough school of life are not so sensitive , plod on , and succeed ? A Utile assistance in such critical moments might be the means of laying the foundation of a life ' s success . I feel I am not able to plead the children ' s cause as ably as I would like , and can only hope these remarks maystrike the heart of some able wiiter who will take up the
cause . I shall , therefore , content myself by stating a remedy . The M . W . and noble Chairman expressed hut willingness to subscribe to such a fund slatted forthe purpose of assisting the children . I would propose , therefore , that on the next Stewards' pipers a column is left for subscriptions and donations to the " Assistance Fund . " This would save expense of collectine , and , as an inducement to
the brethren and Stewards to 1 ollect for the fund , to allow , say , one vote for every twenty pounds collected for this purpose . 'I lure need be no special banquet or festival , simply let it be recognised as a special fund , and Stewards for the Boys' and Girls' Festival invited to solicit subsciiptions . As such a fund only wants a start to be a reality 1 would piopose that 1 . 00 brethren volunteer to raise subscriptions ,
and guarantee-, say within two years , to collect at least £ 100 each , and if our M . W . Chairman heads thc list as he has promised , I have no doubt a good round sum would be soon forthcoming—this , invested in the names of Trustees in Consols or ether good security , would form the nucleus of a great Charity Fund . As deeds are better than words , I shall have much pleasure in offering my services as one Steward , and guarantee
no less that £ 100 within two years . Having called attention to what I think isa want , may I hope you will give publicity to it , in the hope that the brethren will freely discuss tbe pros and cons with a view to find out if the suggestion made by our illustrious Chairman will prove as acceptable to the brethren at large as it does to Yours faithfully and fraternally ,
DICK . RADCLYFFE . 129 , High Holborn , June 28 . P . S . — There are , say , 1800 lodges ; if each M . W . for the year 1880 inste-ad of a jewel were to propose the cost be placed to the fund , no less than , say , ^ 6000 would be raised . 1 mention this to show how easy it would be in small matters to raise a large sum . To forego one banquet in each lodge would treble this sum . Should we ever regret such piivations ?
Masonic Grammar.
MASONIC GRAMMAR .
To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — In writing what I hope may be my last letter on this subject I desire to resent the charge which " Lindley Murray " has brought against me—that of having dr > - scended to " vulgar personality . " The adjective is a very
offensive one , and , on reflection , ycur correspondent will , I doubt not , be willing to admit that he had no sufficient ground for its use . Should he be unwilling to make this admission , it will be only just on his part , since I do not screen myself under an assumed name , to show irom anything I have written lhat his charge was not unwarranted . He speaks , too , of ineptitude , from which , he says , it is
quite refreshing to tuin away , but to which , as your readers observe , he immediately , and apparently not without some pleasure , n turns . Indeed , he naips on this point all through his letter ; and that without any show of reason whatever . I not only did not fail to understand what he meant in ihe first instance , but I have said nothing fiom which he could justly infer that I was , to use
an expression which he himself has culled , " pemnaciovssly thick-headed . " The appositeness of the lines from Dryelcn is not , therefore , very apparent . Indeed , I consider " Lindley Murray " singularly ( or plurally ) unhappy in his quotations ; for neither is the sentence from Scott appropriate to the case of which he was writing . Surely " Lindley Murray , " a brother who can " speak to experts , " might have chosen from the wide field of English literature—if
he had the desire to quote—passages which would have been far mere applicable . But now witb regaid to the more serious charge e f " vulgar personality . " I own that my last letter contained personalities . It is difficult to avoid them in answeiing a brother who is himself very personal . But I have asserted nothing which I could not substimiate . I said " Lindley Murray " was disputatious ; Why did he begin this controversy ? Fceiu
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Last Anniversary Festival Of The Boys' School.
jas . 6 d . ; and No , 820 , Bro . Charles Hubbard , js eig hth , with £ 115 ios . ; No . 1777 , Bro . fj . B . Marshal ] , is ninth , with £ 105 ; No . 9 6 , Bro . W . V . Morgan , is tenth , with £ 103 19 s . ; and No . 6 j , Bro . G . T . Brown , is eleventh , with £ 100 . The remaining lodges vary from A ; 1 17 s . 6 d , the
highest , to ^ io 10 s ., the lowest . We 1 egret to notice so few lodges from ) 600 to 1 S 00 , and that only nineteen lodges are represented in the Metropolis and eight in the Provinces , in all twentyseven . This is all wrong , and is a point to which we ought to pay attention at once , because it is
indicative of coming evil to the Craft . In the provinces Kent heads the list with £ 604 ijs . < 5 d ., and is followed by Worcestershire , with £ . 5 80 jos . ; W . Yorkshire succeeds , with £ 400 ; and Gloucestershire is not far off , with £ 378 . Beiks and Bucks next draw near with /" age , 4 s ., of
which Bro . Dick Radclyffe brings up 4 , 131 16 s ., and is succeeded by Dorsetshire , very close at hand indeed , with , £ 295 2 s ., while Derbyshire comes next , with £ 277 2 s ; Sussex is not far off with £ 175 1 is ., and Staffordshire succeeds , with £ 216 6 s . 1 he Grand Lodge of Scotland remits an
^ 04 15 s . After interval , Hampshire and the Isle of Wi ght appear , with £ 173 5 s . ; Somersetshire forwards £ 134 8 s . ; Durham brings £ 13045 . 5 Middlesex is next , with £ 12275 . ; Suffolk has collected £ 112 7 s . ; and Essex is credited with £ 103 7 s . 6 d . The remaining
amounts vary fiom £ 97 2 s . Cd , in the hig hest , to £ 25 , the lowest . We do not deny that we could have wished the returns larger , but under the circumstances we have , we think , no right to complain , but rather much to be thankful for . We are aware that a large margin still remains of
general lodge and chapter support of the Charities , and of more earnest efforts for charity by some lodges , where a good deal is spent on " creature comforts , " more than perhaps ought to be spent . But , on the whole , we co not believe in lachnmose tones or a deprecatory spirit ,
and " content with honest efforts ' we think it well always to take a hopeful and manly view of things in this world in general , and in Masonic allaiis in particular . One fact is indeed indisputable , that we may all be proud of our Charities , and we are bound , above all , to thank those
worthy brethren of ours , who , year after year , " in season and out of season , " give most liberal and \ aluable support to our great Charities . If any of our readers aio cold or apathetic , doubting or languid in this good cause , we simply say " remember what others have done , go and do thou likewise . "
Dutch Freemasonry.
DUTCH FREEMASONRY .
According to our old antagonist and able Bro . Adrien Grimaux , that , of couise , being only his '' nom de plume , " in the Monde Maconiiiijuc , our good brethren in Holland are about to commit the same great " betise , " and the moral wrong which the French
Grand Orient has committed , and , are now plunged into the midst of a dubious contest for the revision of rituals . Accoiding to Bro . Grimaux ' s intelligent coirespondent from Amsterdam , in this revision no mention is henceforth to be made of T . G . A . O . T . U ., but then , the
correspondent goes on to add , this dubious and remarkable qualification of the proceeding , '' Mais d ' autre cote , ou ne consentera jamais a dormer entree aux atlrees , " but on the other side , they will never consent to grant admission to atheists . Why not ? when the formula of
avowal of belief in T . G . A . O . T . U . is suppressed . We do not piofess to understand this statement , or is it only , as the French say , " encore du jesuitisme ? " more Jesuitry . It seems that ihe Grand Orient of Holland wishes to retain the ascription to the glory of T . G . A . O . T . U .,
aud has sent a circular to its lodges asking them to join in a declaration calling on the Grand Orient of France not to persist in this step of erasure , as threatened by the movement party , a' ) d the ritual revision on hand in the French
Grand Orient . Err . Grimaux ' s correspondent tliinks that many of the Dutch ledges will not El gn this declaration . We are very Sony forthe i ^ utch Freemasons , and lament much to think ° f them playing " second fiddle " to an assembly 'ike the Grand Orient of France , which has
Dutch Freemasonry.
now lost its " prestige " and its authority Masonically , and which it is doubtiul if it has any Marronic " status . " Such a fact is more than saddening—it is humiliating . Like the Grand Lodges of America and Canada , we cannot recognize that tu be a legal Masonic
authority , or those to be lawfull y received Masons , by which and by whom the greit foundation truth of . cosmopolitan Masonry is openly disavowed , or ri gidly excluded from ritual and from teaching . Neither can we admit Masons
into our lodges initiated under such a Regime . Such a body is simply an unbelieving secret society , prejudicial to morals and good government , to the interests of society , and the welfare of Freemasonry .
Original Correspondence.
Original Correspondence .
[ Wn do not hold ourselves responsible for , or even approving of , the opinions expressed by our correspondents , bnt we wish in 1 spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . ]
THE REPORT OF THE CONSECRATION OF THE CLAPHAM LODGE . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I must respectfully but earnestly demur to the running commentary introduced by your reporter into the few remarks I made at the conseciation of the Clapham
Lodge in returning thanks for the Officers of Grand Lodge . In the first place I hold that it is scarcely becoming in a reporter to take such a self-sufficient line , on whatever side of a question his sympathies may lie . In the second place I dispute the accuracy of almost every statement he has been pleased to make .
It is in my humble opinion the province of a reporter to npoit what has been said , or if he thinks it worthless to omit it altogether , but it if not his function to suppress what has been said , and give instead thereof his own personal commentary , thus taking the place of judge , jury , and witness . Now . as to his statements : —
1 . Willi all due deference to him I contend my views on charity voting are not " peculiar , " but held by three men (¦ ut of every four who have no " vested interests " to serve , and have not been involved in the haphazard jobbery which the present system so manifestly fosters . 2 . I deny that these views are even " antagonistic to the Crnft at large ; " on the contiary , I assert that if Masons
were polled to-morrow , three . fourths would be found on the side of enquiry , justice , and mercy , and , therefore , opposed to the abuses of the present system . To one thing I can speak without hesitation that I know of dozens of influential Masons , holding high rank in the Craft , who have denounced these abuses in no measured terms , and who will before long speak out ( as 1 have dared to )
their minds upon this subject . 3 . Though the brethren present did not express any " concurrence " in the views put forth , I have j ct to learn that such silence meant dissent , and as to "disapprobation , " I certainly did not catch the faintest sound of it . I may add that in far the larger pioportion of Masonic meetings at which I have named the subject , the views I have
ventured to express have been received with loud concurrence and approval . 4 . I never even named the " Charity Organisation Society , " but simply stated that if any of the brethren happened to have opportunity to attend the annual meeting of the " Charity Voting Reform Association " next day they would hear from Lord Derby some instructive
statements on a subject , so deeply interesting to Masons . The " Alexanelra Palace meeting " was not in my mind when I named this , nor shall I stop to show which of the two meetings was likely to confer more dignity and real profit on Masonry . But I think I could do this , and easily too . And now , Dear sir and Brother , permit me to say that 1
shall always feel myself perfectly at liberty to express my opinions in eveiy assembly of Masons on any subject that is " good for Masonry in general , " or for the " lodge in particular " of which I may be a member , and no amount of sneer or perverse comment , either on the part of Secretaries or reporters , shall deter mc from having the honesty of my convictions , and expressing them too . Plain truth
must be evil spoken of , at least for a time-, and reform must ever encounter much opposition and obloquy , but bolh will , and must , eventually triumph , as in the case of the Royal Medical Benet olerrt College it has recently done , wherein 2770 as against 364 Govirnors endorsed our views , which were carried by resolution at thc annual meeting by five to one in the face of the Council , the majority of whom
were hostile to reform ; and so , please God , we shall have it in Masonry soon , and , while our votes remain , they will be stripped of those unjust , undignified , wasteful , and cruel accompaniments—polling days , exchanges , trafficking , and wholesale canvassing , which are " spots on our feasts of charity , " and on our chatity itself . I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , Jt . I . SIMPSON .
THE BOYS' AND GIRLS' SCHOOLS . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Permit me to call attention to a matter which I think will prove of great importance to the Craft generally , viz ., the suggestion of the M . W . Bro . the Earl of Rosslyn , as to the advisability of establishing a fund for the assistance of boys and girls after leaving our Institutions .
Original Correspondence.
This is not a new topic , as it has often been discussed by me , and , no doubt , many brethren . It has at last happily been brought prominently and gracefully before the brethren by the M . W . P . G . M . of Scotland , the Earl of Rosslyn , in his . speech at the Boys' Festival . As Chairman of the festival he remarked , ' I will tell you a little fault , anil am suro I have only to mention it to find it immediately
corrected . It is not impossible that at the end of their schooling career some of these boys may leave the school homeless and in need . It may be said that the good seed sown may bear fruit during their scholastic career , but it may also be said the fruit will perish for wai . t of cultivation at a later period . It may be that they leave the Institution to fall into evil courses and evil ways , and even to suffer
penury and poverty . This is the only blot I can find in your excellent Institution . " I think another blot his lordship has overlooked is the desirability of providing a sinking fund for the Institution , that they might be more independent of individual exertions , and net suffer from the vicissitudes of trade , hard times , & c . However , this is digressing . To return to the subject of his lordship ' s
remarks . I think he has struck a fiappy chord . There can be no doubt the children receive splendid educations , and are thoroughly cared for whilst in the Institutions , but is it not proved that the comfort and ease the children expeiience in their early years make it doubly hard to bear piivations when they have to face thc stern fight of life ? How often is it found that they arc dUcouraged and give
up , where others who from children have been nursed in the rough school of life are not so sensitive , plod on , and succeed ? A Utile assistance in such critical moments might be the means of laying the foundation of a life ' s success . I feel I am not able to plead the children ' s cause as ably as I would like , and can only hope these remarks maystrike the heart of some able wiiter who will take up the
cause . I shall , therefore , content myself by stating a remedy . The M . W . and noble Chairman expressed hut willingness to subscribe to such a fund slatted forthe purpose of assisting the children . I would propose , therefore , that on the next Stewards' pipers a column is left for subscriptions and donations to the " Assistance Fund . " This would save expense of collectine , and , as an inducement to
the brethren and Stewards to 1 ollect for the fund , to allow , say , one vote for every twenty pounds collected for this purpose . 'I lure need be no special banquet or festival , simply let it be recognised as a special fund , and Stewards for the Boys' and Girls' Festival invited to solicit subsciiptions . As such a fund only wants a start to be a reality 1 would piopose that 1 . 00 brethren volunteer to raise subscriptions ,
and guarantee-, say within two years , to collect at least £ 100 each , and if our M . W . Chairman heads thc list as he has promised , I have no doubt a good round sum would be soon forthcoming—this , invested in the names of Trustees in Consols or ether good security , would form the nucleus of a great Charity Fund . As deeds are better than words , I shall have much pleasure in offering my services as one Steward , and guarantee
no less that £ 100 within two years . Having called attention to what I think isa want , may I hope you will give publicity to it , in the hope that the brethren will freely discuss tbe pros and cons with a view to find out if the suggestion made by our illustrious Chairman will prove as acceptable to the brethren at large as it does to Yours faithfully and fraternally ,
DICK . RADCLYFFE . 129 , High Holborn , June 28 . P . S . — There are , say , 1800 lodges ; if each M . W . for the year 1880 inste-ad of a jewel were to propose the cost be placed to the fund , no less than , say , ^ 6000 would be raised . 1 mention this to show how easy it would be in small matters to raise a large sum . To forego one banquet in each lodge would treble this sum . Should we ever regret such piivations ?
Masonic Grammar.
MASONIC GRAMMAR .
To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — In writing what I hope may be my last letter on this subject I desire to resent the charge which " Lindley Murray " has brought against me—that of having dr > - scended to " vulgar personality . " The adjective is a very
offensive one , and , on reflection , ycur correspondent will , I doubt not , be willing to admit that he had no sufficient ground for its use . Should he be unwilling to make this admission , it will be only just on his part , since I do not screen myself under an assumed name , to show irom anything I have written lhat his charge was not unwarranted . He speaks , too , of ineptitude , from which , he says , it is
quite refreshing to tuin away , but to which , as your readers observe , he immediately , and apparently not without some pleasure , n turns . Indeed , he naips on this point all through his letter ; and that without any show of reason whatever . I not only did not fail to understand what he meant in ihe first instance , but I have said nothing fiom which he could justly infer that I was , to use
an expression which he himself has culled , " pemnaciovssly thick-headed . " The appositeness of the lines from Dryelcn is not , therefore , very apparent . Indeed , I consider " Lindley Murray " singularly ( or plurally ) unhappy in his quotations ; for neither is the sentence from Scott appropriate to the case of which he was writing . Surely " Lindley Murray , " a brother who can " speak to experts , " might have chosen from the wide field of English literature—if
he had the desire to quote—passages which would have been far mere applicable . But now witb regaid to the more serious charge e f " vulgar personality . " I own that my last letter contained personalities . It is difficult to avoid them in answeiing a brother who is himself very personal . But I have asserted nothing which I could not substimiate . I said " Lindley Murray " was disputatious ; Why did he begin this controversy ? Fceiu